Published in

European Geosciences Union, Geoscientific Model Development, 12(8), p. 3867-3876, 2015

DOI: 10.5194/gmd-8-3867-2015

Copernicus Publications, Geoscientific Model Development Discussions, 8(8), p. 6583-6609

DOI: 10.5194/gmdd-8-6583-2015

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A Factorial Snowpack Model (FSM 1.0)

Journal article published in 2015 by R. Essery ORCID
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Abstract

Abstract. A model for the coupled mass and energy balances of snow on the ground requires representations of absorption of solar radiation by snow, heat conduction in snow, compaction of snow, transfer of heat to snow from the air and retention and refreezing of meltwater in snow. Many such models exist, but it has proven hard to relate their relative performances to the complexity of their process representations. This paper describes the systematic development of an open-source snowpack model with two levels of representation for each of the five processes mentioned above, allowing factorial experimental designs with 32 different model configurations. The model is demonstrated using driving and evaluation data recorded over one winter at an alpine site.