Computer simulation of the snowmelt and soil thermal regime at Barrow, Alaska

Abstract

An annual snow‐soil simulator for arctic tundra was developed by using coupled models of surface equilibrium temperature and substrate thermal diffusion. Snow ripening, melt, and accumulation are modeled in the simulator which is forced with daily weather data. The simulator predicts that a snow fence array capable of producing drift deeper than 4.2 m will initiate permanent snowfield at Barrow, Alaska. Such a man‐induced snowfield could serve as a reliable source of freshwater for Barrow and similar villages in the north slope region of Alaska. Further analysis indicated that albedo reduction due to dust fall, snow removal, etc., is dominant over aerodynamic effects in producing the early spring meltout observed at Barrow Village.