CLIMATOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF SEASONAL SNOW RESOURCES IN THE QILIAN MOUNTAINS

Snow parameters retrieved from NOAA AVHRR data during October 1986--September 1988 are contrasted with data on daily snow depth,snow density and snow days attained from 26 weather stations in the Qilian Mountain region during the period 1951-88 for the purpose of correcting the retrieved snow parameters.Spatial distribution of high resolution climatological mean depth and frequency of snow cover have been obtained.Mean snow storage,snowfall and snow-melting runoff of the river basins in this region are estimated.