Snow particle analyzer for simultaneous measurements of snow density and morphology

Abstract The detailed characterization of snow particles is critical for understanding the settling behavior and modeling ground accumulation various applications such as prevention avalanches snowmelt‐caused floods, etc. In this study, we present a particle analyzer simultaneous measurements properties fresh falling snow, including their size, shape, type, density. consists digital inline holography module imaging in sample volume 88 cm 3 high‐precision scale to measure weight same synchronized fashion. holographic images are processed real‐time using machine learning model post‐processing determine type. Such information used obtain estimated volume, which subsequently correlated with estimate performance assessed monodispersed spherical glass foam beads, irregular salt crystals, thin disks shapes known density, shows <10% density measurement errors. addition, was tested number field deployments under different wind conditions. system able achieve at single resolution statistical robustness. also deployed four hours operation during event changing conditions, demonstrating its potential long‐term monitoring time‐varying field.