Over the previous few days, a small Cessna plane carrying an experimental know-how flew over the Senales Valley in South Tyrol between Vernago Lake and Grawand. Over the course of two flights, a sensor measured the warmth alternate between snow and air.

On the bottom, alongside the identical routes, eight groups led by Eurac Research consultants measured snow depth with scaled rods and weighed the snow to find out its kind. If evaluation of the info collected proves the know-how is dependable and the measurements match these taken on the bottom, it may go on to be mounted on satellites.

For weeks, emails amongst researchers had been going forwards and backwards: “There is a possible window next week,” “Canceled: bad weather on the way,” “We’ll try again as soon as high pressure returns.” Then, lastly, the announcement: “We’ve got the go ahead for tomorrow.” The emails tackle a brand new tone. Checklists for gear, up to date checklists for gear, flight plans, security preparations for the umpteenth time.

At first mild on April 4th, the primary group units off loaded with skis, ski skins and backpacks. Soon after, a small Cessna plane takes off from Trento’s airport. On board, know-how to be examined.

The first flight arrived within the valley round 7 a.m., the second round 1 p.m. During every flight the Cessna zigzagged over the realm at an altitude of 5,000 meters for about 40 minutes. For the analysis group, having the identical flight at totally different occasions of the day was crucial.

“Until now, to watch snow we’ve used satellite images that measure direct properties equivalent to depth and density,” explains Carlo Marin, a distant sensing engineer at Eurac Research.

“Instead, this technique developed by University Milano Bicocca measures how the snow breathes, that is, the heat exchange between the snow and the air. From this information we can gauge properties such as density and type of snow. In the early morning flight, the temperature is cooler, and in the warmer hours of the day, the surface layer of snow is warmer due to higher temperatures and sunlight. The difference in temperature relates to how different types of snow exchange heat with their surroundings.”

“In addition, the experimental sensor images promise very high resolution.”

As the small Cessna airplane flew alongside 12 strips technically referred to as “transects,” 22 folks have been in place on the bottom to measure the depth of the snow and its weight at three-meter intervals. And by doing so, have been in a position to decide the snow density: the wetter being heavier, the lighter, powdery and finer.

Some analysis groups weren’t removed from lifts, however others needed to attain distant spots, such because the Teufelsegg peak, in beneath the Weisskugel/Palla Bianca (3,738 m), by trekking for hours with skis, ski skins and backpacks loaded with gear. One group was additionally accompanied by technicians carrying the identical kind of sensor because the one mounted on the airplane to additional corroborate the measurements from the bottom.

In the approaching months, the analysis group will cross-reference the measurement outcomes and check whether or not the know-how is mature sufficient to be put in on a satellite tv for pc and grow to be operational.

“In light of the climate crisis making water an increasingly scarce and valuable commodity, carefully calculating the presence of snow, especially at high altitudes, will become increasingly important in more accurately estimating the availability of water for the summer season and as such, give support to those who have to administer this resource,” concludes Marin.