snow fence

plural snow fences

1. A fence erected for the purpose of preventing windblown snow from drifting, e.g. onto a road or railway.

   The snow fence is a guard against drifts.

   4 more examples

   "The line abounds in curves and grades," Mr. Thompson writes. "Snow fences are most conspicuous all the way, and vie with fire protection notices through the forests in catching the eye. [...]."

   1940 October, “Notes and News: A Newfoundland Journey”, in Railway Magazine, page 571

   It did not need Driver Thornhill's revelations of winter snows to identify the purpose of rows of discarded sleepers flanking the alignment picket-wise in single and occasionally double formation. I had learned by bitter experience to recognise snow-fences!

   1949 March and April, F. G. Roe, “I Saw Three Englands–2”, in Railway Magazine, page 82

   On the Chicago & Illinois Midland Railway, a substantial saving has been achieved by planting some first-year seedling trees beside 2¼ miles of track where the snow fences had to be renewed every ten years.

   1953 February, “Trees as Snow Fences”, in Railway Magazine, page 74

   The summit is in open moorland country, and snow fences protect the railway from drifts during winter blizzards.

   1959 January 28, H. A. Vallance, “The Strathspey Line”, in Railway Magazine, pages 6, 8