TERMIUM Plus®

From: Translation Bureau

On social media

Consult the Government of Canada’s terminology data bank.

GOBELETS [2 records]

Record 1 2006-12-05

English

Subject field(s)
  • Atmospheric, Climatic and Meteorological Phenomena
DEF

Ice crystals formed by sublimation within snow, but beneath the snow surface.

CONT

Depth hoar [are] large coarse recrystallized grains of snow that are the end result of the faceting or squaring process within the snowpack, a process driven by temperature gradients. Such crystals are often weak and develop as a result of (locally) strong temperature gradients and resulting vapor pressure differences in the snowpack, especially in shallow snowpacks with cold air temperatures. These grains are formed through re-crystallization of existing snow grains as water vapor is transferred (sublimation and deposition) from warmer regions of higher vapor pressure (near the ground) to colder regions with lower vapor pressure (upper layers closer to the snow surface).

CONT

According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC), shallow snow that sits on the ground under clear skies and cold temperatures creates depth hoar, also known as sugar snow or squares.

CONT

Depth hoar can be found near the base of the snowpack. [Example approved by the Avalanche Bulletin Terminology Standardization Committee.]

OBS

Depth hoar is often the weakest layer in the snowpack and is a potential sliding layer for avalanches.

OBS

Depth Hoar is also called : Temperature Gradient (TG) (but this is an outdated term), sugar snow, squares, sometimes incorrectly called "hoar frost" by old, rural geezers.

OBS

Cup-shaped crystals are a common form of depth hoar.

OBS

depth hoar: term officially approved by the Avalanche Bulletin Terminology Standardization Committee.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Phénomènes météorologiques, climatiques et atmosphériques
DEF

Cristaux de glace formés par condensation solide au sein de la neige, mais sous la surface de la couche neigeuse.

CONT

La conséquence en est un important changement de forme des cristaux. Ceux-ci deviennent anguleux avec l'apparition de petites facettes, un peu comme sur un diamant. On les appelle grains à face plane [...] Si la transformation dure assez longtemps et si le gradient de température est assez fort, ces cristaux vont grossir et prendre l'aspect de pyramides creuses, les faces striées un peu comme des gradins : leur taille peut devenir remarquable (5 à 6 mm de diamètre). On les appelle gobelets ou aussi givre de profondeur [...]

CONT

Le givre de profondeur se trouve près de la base du manteau neigeux. [Exemple entériné par le Comité d'uniformisation de la terminologie des bulletins d'avalanche.]

OBS

givre de profondeur : Les Suisses Romands l'appellent aussi la neige coulante, à cause de sa grande instabilité.

OBS

givre de profondeur : terme uniformisé par le Comité d'uniformisation de la terminologie des bulletins d'avalanche.

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Fenómenos meteorológicos, climáticos y atmosféricos
DEF

Cristales de hielo formados por sublimación en el interior de la nieve pero debajo de la superficie nevosa.

Save record 1

Record 2 2002-03-26

English

Subject field(s)
  • Atmospheric, Climatic and Meteorological Phenomena
CONT

Cup-shaped crystals are a common form of depth hoar. This type of crystal can form at any level in the snowpack but is most commonly found at the base of shallow snowpacks following periods of cold weather.

OBS

cup-like crystal: Ice and Snow, by Kingery, p. 378.

OBS

cup crystal; cup-shaped crystal; cup-liked crystal: terms usually used in the plural (cup crystals; cup-shaped crystals; cup-like crystals).

Key term(s)
  • cup-shaped crystals
  • cup-like crystals
  • cup crystals

French

Domaine(s)
  • Phénomènes météorologiques, climatiques et atmosphériques
DEF

Cristal de neige en forme de prisme creux.

CONT

De toutes les formes que prend la neige en se transformant, celle dite en «gobelets» figure parmi les plus instables. Ce sont des grains de petite taille (1 à 2 mm), de forme pyramidale et d'aspect strié, qui n'offrent qu'une faible cohésion d'ensemble. Inoffensive en surface, la neige en gobelets est source d'instabilité du manteau neigeux lorsqu'elle constitue une couche inférieure. Elle est source d'avalanches. Les gobelets deviennent un excellent «tapis roulant» pour les neiges plus cohérentes qui les surmontent.

OBS

gobelet : terme habituellement utilisé au pluriel (gobelets).

Key term(s)
  • gobelets

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Fenómenos meteorológicos, climáticos y atmosféricos
Save record 2

Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank

© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2026
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau

Features

GCtranslate (available on the Government of Canada network only)

Use this artificial intelligence prototype to translate Government of Canada content up to and including Protected B. Available to employees of selected departments and agencies only.

Writing tools

The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.

Glossaries and vocabularies

Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.

Date Modified: