Solution
Snow and avalanche monitoring
Automatic mountain stations measuring snow depth, snow water equivalent, wind and temperature around the clock, all winter. With camera images and near real-time data, avalanche forecasters, hydropower operators and researchers get data they can rely on.
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What we measure
Each station is built for what the avalanche forecast, reservoir planning or research needs.
Snow depth
Ultrasonic or laser sensors above the snow surface, with no contact with the snow.
Snow water equivalent
A snow scale or snow pack analyser shows how much water the snowpack holds – the basis for spring flood forecasts.
Wind and gusts
Heated sensors that cope with rime and storms.
Temperature and humidity
In a radiation shield placed above the highest expected snow level.
Camera images
Pictures from the station to assess snow conditions, rime and visibility.
Precipitation
Gauges for both snow and rain, with a wind shield when needed.
What your data can look like
Snow depth through a whole winter: when the snow came, how it settled and when the melt began.
Example with made-up values.
About live data pages →| Time | Snow depth |
|---|---|
| 15 Oct | 0 cm |
| 29 Oct | 3 cm |
| 13 Nov | 9 cm |
| 27 Nov | 33 cm |
| 11 Dec | 54 cm |
| 26 Dec | 60 cm |
| 9 Jan | 89 cm |
| 23 Jan | 95 cm |
| 7 Feb | 120 cm |
| 21 Feb | 147 cm |
| 8 Mar | 166 cm |
| 22 Mar | 161 cm |
| 5 Apr | 154 cm |
| 20 Apr | 144 cm |
| 4 May | 128 cm |
| 18 May | 106 cm |
| 2 Jun | 75 cm |
| 16 Jun | 40 cm |
How we deliver
The same person follows your station from the first sketch to service.
Design
Siting, choice of sensors and power supply for polar night and cold.
Installation
Installation and commissioning, even at sites only reachable by helicopter.
Data collection
Data via telemetry to our data collection systems and on to the avalanche forecast or a public live data page.
Service
Pre-season checks, service under agreement and remote troubleshooting when winter is at its worst.
Equipment we use
We choose instruments to suit the site and the task. These are often part of it.
- Austria
SOMMER Messtechnik
Snow depth sensors, snow scales and snow pack analysis.
- USA
Campbell Scientific
Data loggers such as the CR1000Xe and CR350, with telemetry.
- United Kingdom and USA
Gill Instruments and R.M. Young
Heated wind sensors that cope with a mountain climate.
- Sweden
Axis Communications
Network cameras for outdoor use.
Frequently asked questions
How is a mountain station powered?
With a solar panel and battery sized for the dark winter and the cold, or with mains power where available.
How often does data come in?
The interval is chosen for your needs and the power budget, often every ten minutes. Data is sent via telemetry to our data collection systems.
Can you take over an existing station?
Yes. We service and reprogram stations with Campbell Scientific loggers, including older models running EDLOG.
Related solutions
Planning a mountain station?
Tell us about the site and what you want to measure, and we will come back with a proposal.