Abstract
The northern Great Plains of the US is a region that experiences extensive winter snow covers. Meltwater provided by this snow is an important source of freshwater for agriculture, domestic uses and hydroelectric power. The geographic location of the region, however, makes it subject to a variety of meteorological influences that can induce rapid ablation episodes and flooding. A study of the synoptic scale weather patterns that induce large snowmelt events can provide a useful insight into the processes that contribute to ablation. The first objective of this study is to identify distinct regional circulation patterns that are associated with snow depth changes of greater than 2.54 cm (1 in.). Detailed case studies representing each synoptic type are then examined and used to illustrate the spatial relationships between synoptically induced meteorological variations and snow–surface energy fluxes. A one-dimensional mass and energy balance model is used to compute the surface energy fluxes and snow depth changes. The use of modeled fluxes in lieu of measured values allows for a more spatially extensive analysis as surface fluxes over the entire study region can be analyzed in conjunction with the prevailing synoptic scale weather patterns. Three synoptic patterns are associated with large midwinter snowmelt episodes in the northern Great Plains. All three patterns involve a midlatitude cyclone moving through the region and the advection of warm air into the region. The case studies reveal that subtle differences in the location and the strength of the cyclones lead to variations in cloud cover, wind speed, temperature and humidity among the different synoptic types. These differences when combined with variations in surface cover can greatly affect the magnitude and spatial distribution of radiative and turbulent energy exchanges. Copyright © 1999 Royal Meteorological Society
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