ESCIMO.spread - A spreadsheet-based point snow surface energy balance model to calculate hourly snow water equivalent and melt rates for historical and changing climate conditions

Abstract

This paper describes the spreadsheet-based point energy balance model ESCIMO.spread which simulates the energy and mass balance as well asmelt rates at the snow surface. The model makes use of hourly recordings oftemperature, precipitation, wind speed, relative humidity, and incomingglobal and longwave radiation. The effect of potential climate change on theseasonal evolution of the snow cover can be estimated by modifying the timeseries of observed temperature and precipitation by means of adjustableparameters. Model output is graphically visualized in hourly and dailydiagrams. The results compare well with weekly measured snow water equivalent(SWE). The model is easily portable and adjustable, and runs particularlyfast: an hourly calculation of a one winter season is instantaneous on astandard computer. ESCIMO.spread can be obtained from the authors onrequest. © Author(s) 2010.