A Snow Distribution Model Based on Snowfall and Snow Drifting Simulations in Mountain Area

Abstract

AbstractSnow distribution modeling is important to hydrological research of alpine catchments, for the temporal and spatial evolution of snow cover has significant influence on snowmelt runoff. However, few snow distribution models have considered the slope effect on drifting snow transport. In this work, a drifting snow parameterization scheme considering the slope effect is proposed, and a snow distribution model based on snowfall and snow drifting simulations is established for alpine terrain. The validation wind‐tunnel experiments and field observations show high accuracy of our model in snow depth evaluation. Then we have analyzed the snow deposition patterns of complex terrain in detail. The results show different deposition patterns for snowfall and drifting snow, for deposition patterns for snowfall are controlled by both terrain and wind, while deposition patterns for drifting snow are mainly dominantly controlled by terrain, and the erosion or deposition rate is sensitive to the local wind speed. This work has considerable value in improving the accuracy of snow distribution prediction in alpine area, which we believe is essential for hydrological research of alpine catchments.