Average Maximum Snow Depth

Average Maximum Snow Depth This map shows the average maximum snow depth in centimetres computed over 18 winter seasons (1979 to 1997). Over southern Canada this usually occurs in January or February, while the time of maximum accumulation occurs much later in mountain areas and in the Arctic. The main features of the map are the pronounced maximum in snow accumulation over the western Cordillera, where snow depths can exceed several metres, with a secondary maximum over Quebec and Labrador. These maxima are related to their proximity to oceans, which act as sources of moisture and winter storms, and to the orographic effect of the mountains in the case of western Canada. The two maxima are linked by a band of higher snow accumulation that follows the boreal forest zone; this is a preferred track for winter storms. To the north of this zone is the relatively shallow snow cover of the Arctic (low snowfall with extensive wind packing). To the south, the depth of snow is limited by the shorter accumulation season and the substantial sublimation of snow over the Canadian Prairies. 2022-03-14 Natural Resources Canada geoinfo@nrcan.gc.ca Nature and EnvironmentScience and Technologyenvironmentmapsnow Download the English JP2 File through HTTPJP2 https://ftp.geogratis.gc.ca/pub/nrcan_rncan/raster/atlas_6_ed/eng/6355_average_maximum_snow_depth.jp2 Download the English ZIP (PDF,JPG) file through HTTPZIP https://ftp.geogratis.gc.ca/pub/nrcan_rncan/raster/atlas_6_ed/eng/6355_average_maximum_snow_depth.zip Download the French JP2 File through HTTPother https://ftp.geogratis.gc.ca/pub/nrcan_rncan/raster/atlas_6_ed/fra/6355_moyenne_maximale_epaisseur_de_neige.jp2 Download the French ZIP (PDF, JPG) File through HTTPZIP https://ftp.geogratis.gc.ca/pub/nrcan_rncan/raster/atlas_6_ed/fra/6355_moyenne_maximale_epaisseur_de_neige.zip

This map shows the average maximum snow depth in centimetres computed over 18 winter seasons (1979 to 1997). Over southern Canada this usually occurs in January or February, while the time of maximum accumulation occurs much later in mountain areas and in the Arctic. The main features of the map are the pronounced maximum in snow accumulation over the western Cordillera, where snow depths can exceed several metres, with a secondary maximum over Quebec and Labrador. These maxima are related to their proximity to oceans, which act as sources of moisture and winter storms, and to the orographic effect of the mountains in the case of western Canada. The two maxima are linked by a band of higher snow accumulation that follows the boreal forest zone; this is a preferred track for winter storms. To the north of this zone is the relatively shallow snow cover of the Arctic (low snowfall with extensive wind packing). To the south, the depth of snow is limited by the shorter accumulation season and the substantial sublimation of snow over the Canadian Prairies.

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