42 



S. L. Dingman et al. 



2 4 6 8 10 



FIGURE 2-6. Profiles of snowdrifts on the banks of the Meade River at 

 Atkasook (70°29 'N, 157°24 ' W) as seen from the north. The drifts on 

 the west side are formed by storm winds from the west and vary in size 

 with the amount of snowfall. The drifts on the east side are formed by 

 prevailing winds from the east and are virtually independent of the 

 amount of snowfall. (After Benson 1969.) 



a minimum in 1964 and a maximum in 1967, while prevailing wind drifts 

 were nearly constant in size (Benson 1969). 



By early December and until the following spring melt, diurnal 

 changes in air temperature do not appreciably influence the soil thermal 

 regime. The insulating effect of the winter snow causes the amplitude of 

 daily temperature fluctuations to decrease with depth and results in 



