Abstract
Abstract. A technique of using satellite-derived data for constructing continuous snow characteristics fields for distributed snowmelt runoff simulation is presented. The satellite-derived data and the available ground-based meteorological measurements are incorporated in a physically based snowpack model. The snowpack model describes temporal changes of the snow depth, density and water equivalent (SWE), accounting for snow melt, sublimation, refreezing melt water and snow metamorphism processes with a special focus on forest cover effects. The remote sensing data used in the model consist of products include the daily maps of snow covered area (SCA) and SWE derived from observations of MODIS and AMSR-E instruments onboard Terra and Aqua satellites as well as available maps of land surface temperature, surface albedo, land cover classes and tree cover fraction. The model was first calibrated against available ground-based snow measurements and then applied to calculate the spatial distribution of snow characteristics using satellite data and interpolated ground-based meteorological data. The satellite-derived SWE data were used for assigning initial conditions and the SCA data were used for control of snow cover simulation. The simulated spatial distributions of snow characteristics were incorporated in a distributed physically based model of runoff generation to calculate snowmelt runoff hydrographs. The presented technique was applied to a study area of approximately 200 000 km2 including the Vyatka River basin with catchment area of 124 000 km2. The correspondence of simulated and observed hydrographs in the Vyatka River are considered as an indicator of the accuracy of constructed fields of snow characteristics and as a measure of effectiveness of utilizing satellite-derived SWE data for runoff simulation.
Highlights
The spatial variations of snow characteristics play a significant role in the hydrological cycle of river basins and snowmelt runoff generation
In this paper we present a technique for constructing space-time continuous fields of snow cover characteristics (SWE, snow depth, snowmelt, etc.) on the basis of a physically based model of snow pack and with the use of satellite measurements of SWE
The correspondence of simulated and observed hydrographs may be considered as an indicator of the accuracy of the constructed fields of snow characteristics and at the same time, as a measure of effectiveness of utilizing satellite-derived SWE data as the initial conditions for runoff simulation
Summary
The spatial variations of snow characteristics play a significant role in the hydrological cycle of river basins and snowmelt runoff generation. Spatial maps of snow cover derived from satellites provide a promising opportunity to enhance the assessment and monitoring of the spatial and temporal variability of snow characteristics, in areas with a sparse network of meteorological stations. Reliability of these products and their spatial resolutions have noticeably improved during the last years. A possible way to improve characterization of the snow spatial distribution and temporal variability consists in coupling satellite snow cover products with ground-based meteorological measurements and snow pack models. Satellite-derived SWE maps corrected for forested areas are utilized as the initial conditions and ground-based meteorological data as boundary conditions to simulate the spatial distribution of snow characteristics. On average, on the 27 March and ends in the beginning of May
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