Snow simulation and forecasting through all Norway: the SeNorge model

Abstract

A model has been recently set up (since 2006) that provides the snow conditions, along with other hydrometeorological parameters, for all Norway at 1 km resolution. This model is called “Senorge” (meaning “See Norway”), and is described in this work. It is an operative model that is run daily predicting snow water equivalent, snow depth, snow changes (for melting and snowfalls), and snow wetness, and the results are published daily in the Senorge website (www.senorge.no). Though melting is estimated with a temperature index approach, a simple module describing snow metamorphism has been implemented and tested against several measurements performed in snow pillows. The goals and ambitions are various, and range from water resources monitoring and water availability assessment for hydroelectric power to avalanche warning and evaluation of skiing condition. Efforts are currently being made to improve this model, in particular implementing a full energy balance model and trying some procedures of data assimilation of remotely sensed data. In addition, a progress in the snowpack description in order to provide information about avalanche occurrences is being investigated