Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

A Physically Based Daily Hydrometeorological Model for Complex Mountain Terrain

Ryan J. MacDonald Department of Geography, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada

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James M. Byrne Department of Geography, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada

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Stefan W. Kienzle Department of Geography, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada

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Print Publication:
01 Dec 2009
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/2009JHM1093.1
Page(s):
1430–1446
Restricted access

Abstract

This paper describes the continued development of the physically based hydrometeorological model Generate Earth Systems Science input (GENESYS) and its application in simulating snowpack in the St. Mary (STM) River watershed, Montana. GENESYS is designed to operate a high spatial and temporal resolution over complex mountainous terrain. The intent of this paper is to assess the performance of the model in simulating daily snowpack and the spatial extent of snow cover over the St. Mary River watershed. A new precipitation estimation method that uses snowpack telemetry (SNOTEL) and snow survey data is presented and compared with two other methods, including Parameter-elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM) precipitation data. A method for determining daily temperature lapse rates from NCEP reanalysis data is also presented and the effect of temperature lapse rate on snowpack simulations is determined. Simulated daily snowpack values compare well with observed values at the Many Glacier SNOTEL site, with varying degrees of accuracy, dependent on the method used to estimate precipitation. The spatial snow cover extent compares well with Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) snow cover products for three dates selected to represent snow accumulation and ablation periods.

Corresponding author address: James M. Byrne, Department of Geography, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada. Email: byrne@uleth.ca

Abstract

This paper describes the continued development of the physically based hydrometeorological model Generate Earth Systems Science input (GENESYS) and its application in simulating snowpack in the St. Mary (STM) River watershed, Montana. GENESYS is designed to operate a high spatial and temporal resolution over complex mountainous terrain. The intent of this paper is to assess the performance of the model in simulating daily snowpack and the spatial extent of snow cover over the St. Mary River watershed. A new precipitation estimation method that uses snowpack telemetry (SNOTEL) and snow survey data is presented and compared with two other methods, including Parameter-elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM) precipitation data. A method for determining daily temperature lapse rates from NCEP reanalysis data is also presented and the effect of temperature lapse rate on snowpack simulations is determined. Simulated daily snowpack values compare well with observed values at the Many Glacier SNOTEL site, with varying degrees of accuracy, dependent on the method used to estimate precipitation. The spatial snow cover extent compares well with Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) snow cover products for three dates selected to represent snow accumulation and ablation periods.

Corresponding author address: James M. Byrne, Department of Geography, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada. Email: byrne@uleth.ca

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Journal of Hydrometeorology

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