Description
Multiply nonnegative days by max(0, meanTemperature-meltThreshold) for positiveDegreeDays, then by nonnegative degreeDayFactor for melt.
Degree-time indices accumulate temperature differences above or below a supplied threshold. Multiplying by a model coefficient creates a conditional estimate whose units depend on the time basis and coefficient.
Multiply nonnegative days by max(0, meanTemperature-meltThreshold) for positiveDegreeDays, then by nonnegative degreeDayFactor for melt.
When to use this tool
Use Snowmelt Degree Day One Interval when you need one explicit temperature-index or threshold component.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter meanTemperature, meltThreshold, days, degreeDayFactor. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read positiveDegreeDays, melt. Use the output convention below.
Multiply nonnegative days by max(0, meanTemperature-meltThreshold) for positiveDegreeDays, then by nonnegative degreeDayFactor for melt.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| meanTemperature | Mean Temperature | Required. Finite number. |
| meltThreshold | Melt Threshold | Required. Finite number. |
| days | Days | Required. Finite number; minimum 0. |
| degreeDayFactor | Degree Day Factor | Required. Finite number; minimum 0. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| positiveDegreeDays | Positive Degree Days | Required. Finite number. |
| melt | Melt | Required. Finite number. |
{
"input": {
"meanTemperature": 5,
"meltThreshold": 0,
"days": 2,
"degreeDayFactor": 3
},
"output": {
"positiveDegreeDays": 10,
"melt": 30
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- Temperature differences use one scale and the factor is melt depth per degree-day; available snow is not capped and no model coefficient, energy balance, or routing is inferred.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Check the threshold, coefficient calibration, and complete energy or environmental model separately.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Potential Snowmelt Degreehour Factor
Multiply nonnegative hours by max(0, temperature-threshold) for degreeHours.
- Snow Layer Refreeze Capacity Term
Multiply nonnegative snowMass and suppliedHeatCapacity by max(0, -temperatureBelowZero) for coldContent.