Investigating the possibilities of energy balance modelling with more moderate input data. Development and testing, Griesgletscher, Switzerland

Abstract

A distributed surface energy balance model has been developed to simulate mass balance at an hourly resolution. The model is applied to a 25 m resolution digital elevation model of a valley glacier in Switzerland. The three main energy balance components are modelled from moderate data input from an automatic weather station in the vicinity. The components are modelled considering the influence of slope aspect and effective horizon. Early assessment shows that the spatial and temporal pattern and the magnitude are sensible. Appraisal of the whole mass balance model indicates that the model underestimates accumulation and slightly over estimates ablation. This can be attributed in part to a localised variation in input parameters. Uncertainty analysis is required to improve model performance.