Snow Optics Talk at WSC 2022

In April I had the pleasure of presenting my research at the Western Snow Conference 2022 in Salt Lake City. I talked about the smartphone-based optical sensor and some preliminary data that I collected over the winter. As this was my first in-person conference since 2019, I was particularly excited about the trip!

I imagined that everyone would have a pretty snow picture as a cover slide, so I tried my best to fit in!

A look at some preliminary data on the increased snow absorption after a wild fire. As an example, the increase in absorption is converted to an “effective” black carbon concentration, which is significantly increased inside the fire perimeter from the 2020 Thielsen Fire.

What makes the Western Snow Conference special is the attendance of many practicing hydrologists - forecasters and managers at non-profits and utility providers - as well the researchers that directly work with them to improve forecast methods for runoff from snow melt that feeds North America’s Southwest rivers. As such a meeting, it was particularly valuable to see what models these people employ and how my measurements could possible help them refine their models.

The meeting was incredibly enjoyable, the locals were amazing hosts and after the meeting I even got to enjoy the amazing trails in and around SLC!