Item: Validation of the Snowpack Model in the Dolomites
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Title: Validation of the Snowpack Model in the Dolomites
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop, Davos 2009, Proceedings
Authors:
- Fabiano Monti [ ARPA Veneto - DRST Centro Valanghe di Arabba, Arabba (Italy) ]
- Anselmo Cagnati [ ARPA Veneto - DRST Centro Valanghe di Arabba, Arabba (Italy) ]
- Charles Fierz [ WSL, Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, Davos, Switzerland ]
- Michael Lehning [ WSL, Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, Davos, Switzerland ]
- Mauro Valt [ ARPA Veneto - DRST Centro Valanghe di Arabba, Arabba (Italy) ]
- Andrea Pozzi [ Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche e Ambientali, Universita degli Studi dell'Insubria, Via valleggio 11, 22100 COMO ITALY ]
Date: 2009
Abstract: Starting from the 2004 winter season, the SNOWPACK snow cover model has been operational at the Avalanche Forecasting Centre in Arabbe (Dolomites, Italy). Snowpack characteristics, such as snow depth, temperatures, hardness, density, wetness but also snow microstructure, laying and stability, are modelled using date from automatic weather stations. Until now there has been no statistical validation of the SNOWPACK model for the Dolmites climate area. throughtout the 2009-2008 winter, snow pit observations were performed weekly in a study plot close to the automatic weather station in "Monti Alti di Ornella". Snow profiles were compared to simulation results in both a qualitative and a quantitative way. Early in the season, agreement between measured and simulated snowpack characteristics is good (74%). The quality of the simulations decreases with the start of the melt season. Snow depth is generally well simulated, although the model tends to underestimate the snow depth early in the season and overestimate it late in the season. Analyzing the effects of wind on the snow cover, the SNOWPACK model proves unable to simulate the densification of the surface layers under strong wind conditions (wind crusts). We introduce and describe an empirical "wind effect" function providing additional densification under strong winds. This results into improved simulations of snow density and other parameters, especially in the second half of the season. Additional Authors: Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SFL, Davos, Switzerland, Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche e Ambientali, Universita degli Studi dell'Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, 22100 Como Italy
Object ID: issw-2009-0313-0317.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Unknown
Keywords: snowpack model, snow metamorphism, model validation, wind effects
Page Number(s): 313-317
Subjects: snowpack modeling dolomites snow metamorphism
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