Spatial variability in winter mass balance on Storglaciären modelled with a terrain-based approach

Abstract

Although most processes governing the surface mass balance on mountain glaciers are well understood, the causes and extent of spatial variability in accumulation remain poorly constrained. In the present study, we couple an energy balance–snow and firn mass-balance model to terrain-based modelling routines estimating mass redistribution by snowdrift, preferential deposition and avalanching. We find this newly coupled model improves the spatial accuracy of winter balance simulations on Storglaciären, Sweden, while retaining versatility and a low computational cost. Accumulation on Storglaciären is primarily driven by direct precipitation, which is locally increased due to small-scale orographic effects. Wind-driven snow transport leads to substantial deposition in the accumulation zone and slight erosion in the ablation zone. Avalanching is the smallest contributor to winter balance, but cannot be neglected. The role of mass transporting processes in maintaining the current mass equilibrium on Storglaciären highlights the necessity to understand the links between climatic predictors and accumulation in order to accurately assess climate sensitivity.

Keywords

• Accumulation
• glacier mass balance
• glacier modelling
• mountain glaciers
• wind-blown snow