WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF

Snow Processes

The group in charge of snow processes at the SLF is operated in collaboration with the chair for Cryosphere Sciences at the EPFL in the framework of a joint professorship by Michael Lehning. The group is working on a wide-ranging spectrum of questions and enquiries postulated by the theme of snow, snow transport, snowfall precipitation extending all the way to the impact of snow on solar production. The group is developing numerical models such as SNOWPACK and Alpine3D and researching snow processes out in nature (in high alpine zones and arctic regions), also learning to measure them precisely in experiments (e.g. in wind canals).

Topics

Snowpack

To improve avalanche risk forecasting, we are working to better understand and reproduce snowpack structure and the processes that occur inside it.

Snow transport

We investigate in the wind tunnel and on measuring surfaces how the wind erodes and deposits snow and how the snow changes during transport.

Distribution of precipitation

If we understand the distribution processes better, we will be able to predict e.g. high and low water more accurately in the future.

Snow-cover modelling - SNOWPACK

The model "SNOWPACK" simulates the development of the snow cover during the winter based on meteorological data.

Boundary-layer dynamics

We investigate the interaction between the snow cover and the atmosphere with high-resolution turbulence measurements.

Polar snowpack

We explore polar snow and how it "ages". These findings help to reconstruct past climates and improve forecasts.

Projects

Staff

Snow Processes

Michael Lehning

Group leader / Joint Professorship

Isabella Anglin

Trainee

Mathias Bavay

Software engineer

Harsh Beria

Research Scientist

Joel Caduff-Fiddes

Visiting scientist

Francesca Carletti

PhD student

Rainette Engbers

PhD student guest

Sonia Flückiger

Scientific assistant

Yael Frischholz

PhD student guest

Sergi Gonzàlez Herrero

Scientific staff member

Océane Hames

PhD student

Michael Haugeneder

Postdoc

Nora Helbig

Visiting scientist

Hendrik Huwald

Visiting scientist

Fanny Kristianti

Postdoc

Christoph Marty

Scientific staff member

Anja Mödl

PhD student guest

Fulvia Montandon

Master student

Koen Muller

Visiting scientist

Hansueli Rhyner

Visiting scientist

Bettina Richter

Scientific staff member

Jessica Ritzi

Guest

Anja Schilling

Visiting scientist

Elizaveta Sharaborova

PhD student guest

Nander Wever

Scientific staff member