Exploring the sensitivity to precipitation, blowing snow, and horizontal resolution of the spatial distribution of simulated snow cover

• DOI: 10.5194/egusphere-2023-2604
• Publication Date: 2023-11-23T07:53:30Z
• Authors: Ange Haddjeri; Matthieu Baron; Matthieu Lafaysse; Louis Le Toumelin; César Deschamp-Be...; Vincent Vionnet; Simon Gascoin; Matthieu Vernay; Marie Dumont
• Keywords: Elevation (ballistics); Snow field

Abstract. Accurate snow cover modeling is a high stake for mountain regions. Alpine evolution and spatial variability result from multitude of complex processes including interactions between wind snow. The SnowPappus blowing model was designed to add capabilities the SURFEX/Crocus simulation system applications across large temporal extents. This paper presents very first spatialized evaluation this over 902 km2 domain in French Alps. Here we compare simulations distribution height obtained Pleiades satellites stereo-imagery Snow Melt-Out Dates Sentinel-2 time series three seasons. We analyzed sensitivity different precipitation datasets two horizontal resolutions. evaluations are presented as function elevation landform types. results show that forced with high-resolution fields enhances at elevations allowing better agreement observations above 2500 m near peaks ridges. Model improvements not obvious low medium altitudes where errors prevailing uncertainty. Our study illustrates necessity consider error contributions snow, forcings, unresolved subgrid robust simulations. Despite significant effect scales transport, 250 resolution using found be promising avenue large-scale alpine snowpacks.