A simple numerical method for snowmelt simulation based on the equation of heat energy

This paper presents one-dimensional numerical model for snowmelt/accumulation simulations, based on the equation of heat energy. It is assumed that the snow column is homogeneous at the current time step; however, its characteristics such as snow density and thermal conductivity are treated as funct...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Water science and technology 2016-04, Vol.73 (7), p.1550-1559
Main Authors: Stojkovic, Milan, Jacimovic, Nenad
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accumulation
Cold
Columns (process)
Computer Simulation
Conduction
Convection
Energy
Energy consumption
Finite difference method
Flood predictions
Floods
Heat
Heat conductivity
Heat transfer
Hot Temperature
Hydrologic models
Hydrology
Marine
Mathematical models
Measuring instruments
Methods
Models, Theoretical
Numerical analysis
Numerical integration
Rain
Runoff
Sea level
Serbia
Simulation
Snow
Snow accumulation
Snow density
Snowmelt
Solar energy
Theory
Thermal conductivity
Time Factors
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:This paper presents one-dimensional numerical model for snowmelt/accumulation simulations, based on the equation of heat energy. It is assumed that the snow column is homogeneous at the current time step; however, its characteristics such as snow density and thermal conductivity are treated as functions of time. The equation of heat energy for snow column is solved using the implicit finite difference method. The incoming energy at the snow surface includes the following parts: conduction, convection, radiation and the raindrop energy. Along with the snow melting process, the model includes a model for snow accumulation. The Euler method for the numerical integration of the balance equation is utilized in the proposed model. The model applicability is demonstrated at the meteorological station Zlatibor, located in the western region of Serbia at 1,028 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l.) Simulation results of snowmelt/accumulation suggest that the proposed model achieved better agreement with observed data in comparison with the temperature index method. The proposed method may be utilized as part of a deterministic hydrological model in order to improve short and long term predictions of possible flood events.
ISSN:0273-1223
1996-9732
DOI:10.2166/wst.2015.628