Validation of the energy budget of an alpine snowpack simulated by several snow models (SnowMIP project)

Pierre Etchevers, Eric Martin, Ross Brown, Charles Fierz, Yves Lejeune, Eric Bazile, Aaron Boone, Yong-jiu Dai, Richard Essery, Alberto Fernandez, Yeugeniy Gusev, Rachel Jordan, Victor Koren, Eva Kowalczyk, N. Olga Nasonova, R. David Pyles, Adam Schlosser, Andrey B. Shmakin, Tatiana G. Smirnova, Ulrich StrasserDiana Verseghy, Takeshi Yamazaki, Zong-liang Yang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Many snow models have been developed for various applications such as hydrology, global atmospheric circulation models and avalanche forecasting. The degree dcomplexity of these models is highly, variable, ranging from simple index methods to multilayer models that simulate snow-cover stratigraphy and texture. In the framework of the Snow Model Intercomparison Project (Snow MIP), 23 models were compared using observed Meteorological parameters from two mountainous alpine sites. The analysis here focuses on validation of snow energy-budget simulations. Albedo and snow surface temperature observations allow identification of the more realistic simulations and quantification of errors for two components of the energy budget: the net short- and longwave radiation. In particular, the different albedo parameterizations are evaluated for different snowpack states (in winter and spring). Analysis of results during the melting period allows an investigation of the different ways of partitioning the energy fluxes and reveals 0. 1 the complex feedbacks which Occur when simulating the snow energy budget. Particular attention is paid to the impact of model complexity on the energy-budget components. The model complexity has a major role for the net longwave radiation calculation, whereas the albedo parameterization is the most significant factor explaining the accuracy of the net shortwave radiation simulation.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)150-158
Number of pages9
JournalAnnals of Glaciology
Volume38
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10 Jan 2004
EventInternational Symposium on Snow and Avalanches - Davos
Duration: 2 Jun 20036 Jun 2003

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