Abstract: An illustrative computing device may include a processor and a non-transitory memory device for storing a data structure capable of being compressed, where the data structure includes a plurality of data elements and each of the plurality of data elements includes a date field and a quantity field. The computing device may process instructions to arrange the plurality of data elements in a consecutive series in date order based on a value stored in the date field of each data element, determine whether a gap appears in the consecutive series of data elements based on a value stored in the quantity field of each element, remove the determined gaps in each of the data elements, and repeat the determining and removing steps until a predetermined criterion has been reached.

Abstract: A snow probe device with a portable data logger that measures snow depths snow covered areas. The snow probe componets include: i) a linear displacement magnetostrictive transducer composed of a long probe shaft with an internal magnetostrictive transducer filament that operates in conjunction with a small electronics package for signal generation and detection; ii) a floating plate assembly that includes a magnet that slides on the probe shaft along with a floating plate that rests upon the snow's surface during a measurement event; iii) a pointed tip designed for easy penetration of snow attached at the probe's bottom end portion; iv) a thumb switch for actuating measurements on a cylindrical handle attached at the upper end of the probe shaft; and v) a data logger for controlling and recording the magnetostrictive transducer measurements.

Abstract: A temperature and depth probe for accurate temperature measurements in snow ontains a temperature sensing element such as thermistor placed in a protective cap affixed to the end of a hollow carbon fiber tubed. Wires connected to the ouput terminals of the temperature sensing element pass through the hollow tube to the input terminals of a temperature indicating instruments. The depth of insertion of the probe into the snow is read from depth markings on the side of the hollow tube.