Snow conditions strongly influence the near-surface energy balance and runoff generation at local scales. Using ground-based sensor observations (snow, meteorology, energy fluxes), we will quantify the physical drivers controlling snowpack changes in forested areas with transitional snowpacks. Such areas are characteristic of the northeastern United States and have been less studied than those in western U.S areas. We will then leverage our findings to improve physics-based snow models in northeastern U.S. forests to better capture snow accumulation and melt processes in the region.