Snowdrift

(Also called snowdrifts ) If snow drifts are snow, which is not uniform as indicated by the usual snow on the ground, but has been transported laterally by the wind. Most of them are powder snow because it is lighter than wet snow and thus can be easily blown away. The impact of the snow particles, the material is solidified a snowdrift. The first loose snow then assumes a rigid form.

Snow drifts can occur over wide areas, but also in corners or troughs, where in addition to wind turbulence and windless zones occur and the snow settles easier everywhere. He can order meter high tower while in the area are still almost no snow. Snow drifts can be predicted very difficult, since their formation depends on the local conditions.

Obstruction

Unpleasant and even dangerous are snow drifts on roads or railway lines. It can be seen only with difficulty when approaching from a distance that a snow drift is present, or what is the same. Vehicles into driving at high speed in massive snow drifts, can be partially withdrawn only with heavy equipment ( armored recovery vehicle ) again.

High snow drifts can not be removed with a snow plow, but only using a snowblower. However, drifts with constant weather conditions can occur again within a very short time.

Even small so-called snow tongues are unpleasant to drive through, since one usually does not expect its occurrence and one so the speed is not reduced in time. A spin can then easily be the result.

Snow protection

The danger of drifting snow can be reduced by putting up slats (snow fence ) and plastic nets (snow fence). This decrease on the leeward side of the wind speed, so the snow is deposited next to the gate or the network. The exact placing of these protective devices, however, requires experience, as small wind shifts make them ineffective or enhance the drifts policy.

Another way to reduce drifting snow is creating snow protection planting. It is a multi-row or until bottom beastete woody plant that capture the transported by the wind snow.