M.Sc., Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, 2011 / Prolonged snow cover in Lesotho frequently results in human and livestock deaths, due to
isolation and exposure. MODIS Rapid Response imagery is emerging as an important
source of near real-time data for global hazard mapping and emergency response. A
dataset of daily MODIS snow cover images for the period 2003 – 2010 was acquired for
Lesotho. Combined with high-resolution SPOT satellite images for two study areas,
MODIS snow cover images were used to establish the frequency, extent and timing of
snowfalls. A digital elevation model was used in conjunction with mean air temperature
data to investigate the effects of altitude, aspect and temperature on the mean rate of daily
snowmelt. A strong correlation exists between mean day-time temperatures and the mean
rate of daily snowmelt throughout the winter season. The mean rate of snow dissipation is
most rapid after late season (September – November) snowfalls and least rapid after mid
season (July – August) snowfalls. Snow cover persisting for 1 – 5 days dissipates at a
higher mean rate than snow cover that has persisted for 6 – 10 days. Snow lasts longest
on south-facing slopes above 2500m a.s.l, with evidence of increased ablation due to
wind deflation and higher insolation levels in the highlands above 3400m a.s.l. The
southern Drakensberg highlands in the district of Quthing have the highest mean duration
of snow cover (21 – 25 days per annum). The seasonal extent and duration of snow cover
was related to the spatial location of villages and roads in Lesotho, in order to determine
individual vulnerability to negative impacts associated with prolonged snow cover. A
ranking system was applied to each village according to the seasonal duration of snow
cover, and the accessibility and proximity to the nearest road. Snowfalls occur between 1
and 8 times per annum on average. Therefore, village vulnerability is generally low, as
most settlements are situated on predominantly north-facing slopes in the western
lowlands and Senqu River Valley, which remain largely snow-free throughout the winter
season. Few villages experience prolonged snow cover, which is limited to
predominantly south-facing slopes above 2500m a.s.l along the escarpment and interior
mountain ranges. Village vulnerability increases during the mid season period as a result
of the increased frequency and duration of snow cover in July and August. The villages
of Thoteng (Butha-Buthe), Letseng-la-Terae (Mokhotlong) and Mabalane (Butha-Buthe)
have the highest vulnerability for the 2003 – 2010 period.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/11439 |
| Date | 15 March 2012 |
| Creators | Linde, Jonathan Harris |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf |
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