Snow patch

[1] [2] [3][4] Snow patches often start in sheltered places where both thermal and orographical conditions are favourable for the conservation of snow such as small existing depressions, gullies or other concave patterns.

It is a complex of processes that includes freeze–thaw action (weathering by the alternate freezing and melting of ice), mass movement (the downhill movement of substances under gravity), and erosion by meltwater which is the main agent of the surroundings' influence.

[5] There is high soil moisture around the snow patch that supports growing of specific vegetation.

It is usually dominated by species that tolerate a shortened growing season and is predominantly herbaceous.

The origin of this water may be from the melting of the snowpatch itself, from groundwater reaching the surface in slopes next to the snowpatch or from groundwater being forced to surface by obstructing permafrost.