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A Lagrangian Snow-Evolution System for Sea-Ice Applications (SnowModel-LG): Part I-Model Description
Glen E Liston1, Polona Itkin2, Julienne Stroeve3,4
1Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) Colorado State University Fort Collins CO USA.
Journal of Geophysical Research. Oceans
|November 2, 2020
Summary
A new model simulates Arctic snow on sea ice, revealing detailed snow structures and the significant impact of blowing snow sublimation. Ice dynamics and atmospheric forcing influence snow evolution and melt duration.
Area of Science:
- Cryosphere science
- Arctic environmental modeling
- Sea ice research
Background:
- Understanding snow properties on sea ice is crucial for Arctic climate and ecosystem studies.
- Previous models lacked the resolution and complexity to capture detailed snow-on-sea-ice dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and apply a high-resolution Lagrangian snow-evolution model (SnowModel-LG) for pan-Arctic snow-on-sea-ice.
- To simulate 38 years of daily snow property distributions and analyze key processes affecting snowpack evolution.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the SnowModel-LG model forced by MERRA-2 and ERA5 reanalyses and NSIDC sea ice data.
- Simulated multilayer snowpack energy and mass balances, including snowfall, sublimation, melt, and ice dynamics.
- Accounted for processes like blowing-snow sublimation and superimposed ice formation.
Main Results:
- Generated unprecedented daily, pan-Arctic snow-on-sea-ice property distributions at a 25x25 km resolution.
- Identified significant contributions of blowing-snow sublimation to the snowpack mass budget.
- Found minimal superimposed ice, decreasing over time, and minimal snow carryover, sensitive to atmospheric forcing.
Conclusions:
- SnowModel-LG provides novel insights into Arctic snow-on-sea-ice spatial structures and evolution.
- Ice parcel age, driven by observed ice dynamics, is a primary factor in snow property changes.
- Atmospheric forcing data (MERRA-2 vs. ERA5) significantly impacts melt-season duration and snowpack evolution.
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