Abstract
Improved representations of snow interception by coniferous forest canopies and
sublimation of intercepted snow are implemented in a land-surface model. Driven
with meteorological observations from forested sites in Canada, the USA and
Sweden, the modified model is found to give reduced sublimation, better simulations
of snow loads on and below canopies, and improved predictions of snowmelt
runoff. When coupled to an atmospheric model in a GCM, however, drying and
warming of the air because of the reduced sublimation provides a feedback which
limits the impact of the new canopy snow model on the predicted sublimation.
There is little impact on the average annual snowmelt runoff in the GCM, but
runoff is delayed and peak runoff increased by the introduction of the canopy
snow model.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1855-1864 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Journal of Climate |
Publication status | Published - 2003 |