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[References: 12 tit.]

The paper presents the results of the long-term monitoring of beta-radiation flux density in the background atmosphere in Tomsk Observatory of Radioactivity and Ionizing Radiation by using beta-radiation detectors installed at different heights up to 35 m from the earth's surface. Analysis of seasonal variations of beta-background and characteristics of snow revealed that the specific of decreasing of beta-radiation flux density is similar to specific of increasing the snow water equivalent. Seasonal minimums of beta-radiation flux density, regardless of the height of measurement, better correspond to the maximums of snow water equivalent then to snow cover thickness. As a result of investigation a BetaSnow method for estimating the moisture content of snow cover based on measurements of the atmospheric beta-background was developed and described in detail.