ABSTRACT. A high-precision, self-operating storage preCIpItation gauge was designed and field-tested. It consists of a cylinder-shaped container that incorporates antifreeze solution to melt snow and a quartz-crystal pressure sensor to detect mass of the contained liquid. Field trials showed performance to be at least equivalent to the Japanese standard gauge. A novel feature of the developed instrument is that it also measures a parameter related to wind speed, which is the basis for a catch correction. The instrument is simple, robust and can be battery-operated, therefore making it useful for winter precipitation measurements at sites where electric power supply is unavailable.
The retreat of Wurtenkees, a glacier of about 1 km2 in the European East Alps, is described by measurement of frontal change, interpretation of maps and a computed mass-balance series. Since 1850, Wurtenkees has been one of the most strongly retreating glaciers in this region. Mass balance has been measured since 1982. Measured values of the accumulation area ratio and the equilibrium-line altitude as well as a degree-days model are used for the description of the activity conditions of the glacier. Under present climatic conditions Wurtenkees would need a lowering of the mean air temperature during the summer season of 1–1.5° C to return to a balanced mass budget. With predicted global warming, the glacier is likely to disappear early in the 21st century.
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