5.3.2 Impacts of snowmelt
Let's look at the impacts of snowmelt. For each statement below, decide if it is right or wrong, then click Done.
Melting increases the potential for flooding.
The correct answer is a, true.
Snowpack runoff can cause flooding depending on the amount and capacity of the drainages.
Melting decreases stability at layer interfaces that have refrozen during cold periods.
The correct answer is a, true.
Layer interfaces can become liquid paths and subsequently freeze at night or during cold periods. These crusted layers may lead to significant hoar formation over long periods of time due to local temperature gradients.
Melting warms the atmosphere, which can subsequently accelerate the rate of snowmelt.
The correct answer is b, false.
Melting actually cools the atmosphere near the snowpack. If this latent cooling didn't occur, the snow would melt even more quickly.