A radar-based framework for estimating snow depth and snow load

Narae Kang; Seokhyeon Kim; Jungsoo Yoon; Seokhwan Hwang

doi:10.3741/JKWRA.2025.58.S-1.1209

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2025 Vol.58, Issue 11S-1 Preview Page

Technical Note

A radar-based framework for estimating snow depth and snow load 레이더 기반의 적설심 및 적설하중 추정 체계 구축

30 November 2025. pp. 1209-1216

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Abstract

This study proposes a dual-polarization radar-based snow depth estimation system, including a snow load calculation step. The proposed procedure estimates snow intensity from radar polarization variables, calculates the snow depth through time integration, calculates the snow depth, and applies the average unit weight to generate snow depth and load maps. The applicability of this system was verified by applying it to radar observation data from the Oseongsan radar (KSN) of the Korea Meteorological Administration. By presenting the spatial distribution of Snow Water Equivalent, Snow Depth, and Snow Load, it can provide regional risk information and more intuitively assess potential burdens on facilities. Radar-based estimation is considered an effective approach for disaster management, as it can estimate cumulative load changes by incorporating information from the moment of snowfall. Furthermore, the reliability of the system needs to be enhanced through verification of various cases and quantitative evaluation.

Keywords

Snow depth

Snow load

Dual-Polarization radar

Polarimetric variables

본 연구는 이중편파 레이더 자료를 활용하여 관측 기반의 적설 추정 체계를 제안하고 최종적으로 적설하중을 제시하는 단계를 포함하였다. 제안된 절차는 레이더 관측으로부터 적설 강도를 추정하고, 시간적분을 통해 적설 상당수량을 산정한 뒤, 적설심을 산정하고 평균 단위중량을 적용하여 적설심 지도와 적설하중 지도를 제시한다. 본 체계는 기상청 오성산 레이더 관측 자료에 적용하여 적용 가능성을 확인하였다. 이 절차를 통해 적설 상당수량-적설심-적설하중의 공간 분포를 제시함으로써 지역적 위험 정보를 제공할 수 있으며, 시설물에 가해질 수 있는 잠재적 부담을 보다 직관적으로 파악할 수 있다. 레이더 기반 추정은 강설 순간의 정보를 반영하여 누적 하중 변화를 추정할 수 있다는 점에서 재난 관리에 효과적인 접근 방법으로 판단된다. 향후에는 다양한 사례 검증과 정량적 평가를 통해 체계의 신뢰도를 높여 나갈 필요가 있다.

키워드

적설심

적설하중

이중편파 레이더

편파 변수

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Information

Publisher :KOREA WATER RESOURECES ASSOCIATION
Publisher(Ko) :한국수자원학회
Journal Title :Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
Journal Title(Ko) :한국수자원학회 논문집
Volume : 58
No :11
Pages :1209-1216
Received Date : 2025-09-22
Revised Date : 2025-10-16
Accepted Date : 2025-10-20
DOI :https://doi.org/10.3741/JKWRA.2025.58.S-1.1209

Journal of Korea Water Resources Association ISSN:2799-8746(Print) 2799-8754(Online) 한국수자원학회 논문집

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