Snow Temperature at Soldier Hollow Biathlon and Cross Country Course

Photo: J. Shafer. NOAA Cooperative Institute for Regional Prediction. U/Utah

Why is Snow Temperature Important to Measure at Soldier Hollow? Competitors must choose the right type of wax for the snow conditions; softer waxes are used for higher temperatures.

How is Snow Temperature Measured? An infrared sensor mounted on a sled is pulled behind a snowmobile around the cross country and biathlon courses. Position is determined by a GPS unit inside the waterproof enclosure. Measurements are taken every 5 or 6 seconds, displayed in real time on the top of the enclosure, recorded, and downloaded later to a laptop. For further details, contact cirp@met.utah.edu.

Snow Temperature Observations

Snow Temperature	Air Temperature and Relative Humidity
Winter 2001
January 2 Morning
January 5 Morning and Afternoon	M-Morning;A-Afternoon
Pre-Olympics 2002
January 25 Morning	M-Morning
January 25 Afternoon Cross Country Course	A-Afternoon
January 25 Afternoon Biathlon Course	A-Afternoon
January 31 9-9:30AM	M1:9-9:30
January 31 11-11:45AM	M2:11-11:45
February 1 Morning Cross Country Course	M-Morning
February 1 Biathlon Course	12:30-1PM
February 1 Afternoon	A-Afternoon
February 6 Afternoon	A-Afternoon