Snowmelt evolution mapping using an energy balance approach over an alpine terrain

• Main Authors: Mittaz, C, Imhof, M, Hoelzle, M, Haeberli, W
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: University of Colorado, Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research 2002
• Subjects: Institute of Geography; 910 Geography & travel; Antarctic and Alpine Research; Arctic
• Online Access: https://www.zora.uzh.ch/id/eprint/63224/; https://www.zora.uzh.ch/id/eprint/63224/1/Mittaz_etal_2002_snowmelt_evolution.pdf; http://www.jstor.org/stable/1552484; https://doi.org/10.5167/uzh-63224; https://doi.org/10.2307/1552484

A computer model simulating snowmelt evolution and the spatial snowmelt pat- tern using an energy balance approach over an alpine terrain was developed. With a digital elevation model (DEM), surface characteristics information and meteo- rological data as input, all radiation balance components, turbulent fluxes, precip- itation, and finally snowmelt were modeled on a daily basis. Special emphasis was given to snow redistribution. The model was applied to an area of 35 km² in the Schilthom Massif (Bernese Oberland, Switzerland) for 1996-97. The model calculations are compared with a snowmelt evolution map, which was produced by combining seven scenes of aerial photographs taken in the Bernese Alps during the melting season 1997 (March-September). Both the temporal comparison of the snowmelt evolution and the spatial comparison of simulated and observed snowmelt patterns show a good accordance: at any of the compared dates, spatial coincidence is equal to or better than 78%. It can therefore be concluded that the model supplies a quite realistic reproduction of the energy exchange processes taking place at the ground snow-cover/atmosphere interface during winter and spring.