PHYSICOMATHEMATICAL MODEL OF SNOW ACCUMULATION AND MELT IN A FOREST

L. S. Kuchment and A. N. Gelfan

A physicomathematical model of snow accumulation and melt is developed. The model takes into account the influence of forest canopy on snow processes. Parameters of the model are measurable canopy characteristics. The model is tested on the long-term data of the Valdai experimental station and describes dynamics of the snow water equivalent without any calibration procedure both in the open catchment and in the forested one. From the results obtained, the relationships between the model parameters and the canopy characteristics can be considered to be general. The model can be used to describe snow processes in different physiographic conditions.