Snow on the ground

A state in which snow covers the ground without melting until early spring. Snow that falls at the beginning of winter often melts away after accumulating, but as winter progresses, new snowfall occurs before the previous snow has melted, and snow continues to cover the ground. The Japan Meteorological Agency calls this long-term snow cover, and defines it as the period from the first day of snowfall to the last day of snowfall that continues for 30 days or more. The length of time that snow remains on the ground is approximately 4 to 5 months in Hokkaido, 1 to 2 months in the Hokuriku plains, and 3 to 4 months in the mountainous areas of Hokuriku and the inland areas of the Tohoku region.

[Kiichi Maeno]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

降り積もった雪が春先まで消えずに地面を覆っている状態。冬の初めに降る雪は積もっても消えてしまうことが多いが、冬が進むにつれて、降った雪が消えないうちに次の降雪があり、継続して雪が地面を覆うようになる。気象庁では長期積雪とよび、積雪の継続の長さが30日以上にわたるとき、その初日から終日までを長期積雪と決めている。根雪の長さは、おおよそ北海道で4～5か月、北陸平野部で1～2か月、北陸山間部や東北地方内陸部で3～4か月である。

［前野紀一］

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