Worldwide testing of the snowmelt runoff model with applications for predicting the effects of climate change

Abstract

The Snowmelt-Runoff Model (SRM), a simple degree-day model, has been applied to over 50 basins in 15 countries around the world. Where results have been reported, the average R2 has been 0.84 and the average seasonal volume difference, Dv, has been 3.8%. The testing of SRM has taken place on basins in different climatic regions, thus setting the stage for using SRM in evaluations of the hydrological effects of climate change. A method for using SRM in evaluations of climate change has been established and tested on several basins. Initial results show some potentially serious problems involving water supply, flooding, and drought. -from Author