water equivalent

water equivalent

[′wȯd·ər i′kwiv·ə·lənt] (meteorology) The depth of water that would result from the melting of the snowpack or of a snow sample; thus, the water equivalent of a new snowfall is the same as the amount of precipitation represented by that snowfall.

water equivalent

The depth of water that would result from melting a specific quantity of snow, ice, or sleet.