Articles | Volume 13, issue 12
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-3413-2019
© Author(s) 2019. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-3413-2019
© Author(s) 2019. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
20 Dec 2019
Research article |
| 20 Dec 2019
| 20 Dec 2019
Continuous and autonomous snow water equivalent measurements by a cosmic ray sensor on an alpine glacier
Department of Geosciences, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
Nadine Salzmann
Department of Geosciences, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
Matthias Huss
Department of Geosciences, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
Laboratory of Hydraulics, Hydrology and Glaciology (VAW), ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Darin Desilets
Hydroinnova LLC, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Related authors
Rebecca Gugerli, Darin Desilets, and Nadine Salzmann
The Cryosphere, 16, 799–806, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-799-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-799-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Monitoring the snow water equivalent (SWE) in high mountain regions is highly important and a challenge. We explore the use of muon counts to infer SWE temporally continuously. We deployed muonic cosmic ray snow gauges (µ-CRSG) on a Swiss glacier over the winter 2020/21. Evaluated with manual SWE measurements and SWE estimates inferred from neutron counts, we conclude that the µ-CRSG is a highly promising method for remote high mountain regions with several advantages over other current methods.
Rebecca Gugerli, Matteo Guidicelli, Marco Gabella, Matthias Huss, and Nadine Salzmann
Adv. Sci. Res., 18, 7–20, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-18-7-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-18-7-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
To obtain reliable snowfall estimates in high mountain remains a challenge. This study uses daily snow water equivalent (SWE) estimates by a cosmic ray sensor on two Swiss glaciers to assess three
readily-available high-quality precipitation products. We find a large bias between in situ SWE and snowfall, which differs among the precipitation products, the two sites, the winter seasons and in situ meteorological conditions. All products have great potential for various applications in the Alps.
Livia Piermattei, Michael Zemp, Christian Sommer, Fanny Brun, Matthias H. Braun, Liss M. Andreassen, Joaquín M. C. Belart, Etienne Berthier, Atanu Bhattacharya, Laura Boehm Vock, Tobias Bolch, Amaury Dehecq, Inés Dussaillant, Daniel Falaschi, Caitlyn Florentine, Dana Floricioiu, Christian Ginzler, Gregoire Guillet, Romain Hugonnet, Matthias Huss, Andreas Kääb, Owen King, Christoph Klug, Friedrich Knuth, Lukas Krieger, Jeff La Frenierre, Robert McNabb, Christopher McNeil, Rainer Prinz, Louis Sass, Thorsten Seehaus, David Shean, Désirée Treichler, Anja Wendt, and Ruitang Yang
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2309, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2309, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Satellites have made it possible to observe glacier elevation changes from all around the world. In the present study, we compared the results produced from two different types of satellite data between different research groups and against validation measurements from aeroplanes. We found a large spread between individual results but showed that the group ensemble can be used to reliably estimate glacier elevation changes and related errors from satellite data.
Jérôme Lopez-Saez, Christophe Corona, Lenka Slamova, Matthias Huss, Valérie Daux, Kurt Nicolussi, and Markus Stoffel
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-1746, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-1746, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Glaciers in the European Alps have been retreating since the 1850s. Monitoring glacier mass balance is vital for understanding global changes, but only a few glaciers have long-term data. This study aims to reconstruct the mass balance of Silvrettagletscher in the Swiss Alps using stable isotopes and tree-ring proxies. Results indicate increased glacier mass until the 19th century, followed by a sharp decline after the Little Ice Age with accelerated losses due to anthropogenic warming.
Lander Van Tricht, Harry Zekollari, Matthias Huss, Daniel Farinotti, and Philippe Huybrechts
The Cryosphere Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2023-87, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2023-87, 2023
Manuscript not accepted for further review
Short summary
Short summary
Detailed 3D models can be applied for well-studied glaciers, whereas simplified approaches are used for regional/global assessments. We conducted a comparison of six Tien Shan glaciers employing different models and investigated the impact of in-situ measurements. Our results reveal that the choice of mass balance and ice flow model as well as calibration have minimal impact on the projected volume. The initial ice thickness exerts the greatest influence on the future remaining ice volume.
Christian Sommer, Johannes J. Fürst, Matthias Huss, and Matthias H. Braun
The Cryosphere, 17, 2285–2303, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-2285-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-2285-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Knowledge on the volume of glaciers is important to project future runoff. Here, we present a novel approach to reconstruct the regional ice thickness distribution from easily available remote-sensing data. We show that past ice thickness, derived from spaceborne glacier area and elevation datasets, can constrain the estimated ice thickness. Based on the unique glaciological database of the European Alps, the approach will be most beneficial in regions without direct thickness measurements.
Aaron Cremona, Matthias Huss, Johannes Marian Landmann, Joël Borner, and Daniel Farinotti
The Cryosphere, 17, 1895–1912, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-1895-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-1895-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Summer heat waves have a substantial impact on glacier melt as emphasized by the extreme summer of 2022. This study presents a novel approach for detecting extreme glacier melt events at the regional scale based on the combination of automatically retrieved point mass balance observations and modelling approaches. The in-depth analysis of summer 2022 evidences the strong correspondence between heat waves and extreme melt events and demonstrates their significance for seasonal melt.
Matteo Guidicelli, Matthias Huss, Marco Gabella, and Nadine Salzmann
The Cryosphere, 17, 977–1002, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-977-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-977-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Spatio-temporal reconstruction of winter glacier mass balance is important for assessing long-term impacts of climate change. However, high-altitude regions significantly lack reliable observations, which is limiting the calibration of glaciological and hydrological models. We aim at improving knowledge on the spatio-temporal variations in winter glacier mass balance by exploring the combination of data from reanalyses and direct snow accumulation observations on glaciers with machine learning.
Pau Wiersma, Jerom Aerts, Harry Zekollari, Markus Hrachowitz, Niels Drost, Matthias Huss, Edwin H. Sutanudjaja, and Rolf Hut
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 5971–5986, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-5971-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-5971-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We test whether coupling a global glacier model (GloGEM) with a global hydrological model (PCR-GLOBWB 2) leads to a more realistic glacier representation and to improved basin runoff simulations across 25 large-scale basins. The coupling does lead to improved glacier representation, mainly by accounting for glacier flow and net glacier mass loss, and to improved basin runoff simulations, mostly in strongly glacier-influenced basins, which is where the coupling has the most impact.
Erik Schytt Mannerfelt, Amaury Dehecq, Romain Hugonnet, Elias Hodel, Matthias Huss, Andreas Bauder, and Daniel Farinotti
The Cryosphere, 16, 3249–3268, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-3249-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-3249-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
How glaciers have responded to climate change over the last 20 years is well-known, but earlier data are much more scarce. We change this in Switzerland by using 22 000 photographs taken from mountain tops between the world wars and find a halving of Swiss glacier volume since 1931. This was done through new automated processing techniques that we created. The data are interesting for more than just glaciers, such as mapping forest changes, landslides, and human impacts on the terrain.
Lea Geibel, Matthias Huss, Claudia Kurzböck, Elias Hodel, Andreas Bauder, and Daniel Farinotti
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 3293–3312, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-3293-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-3293-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Glacier monitoring in Switzerland started in the 19th century, providing exceptional data series documenting snow accumulation and ice melt. Raw point observations of surface mass balance have, however, never been systematically compiled so far, including complete metadata. Here, we present an extensive dataset with more than 60 000 point observations of surface mass balance covering 60 Swiss glaciers and almost 140 years, promoting a better understanding of the drivers of recent glacier change.
Tim Steffen, Matthias Huss, Rebekka Estermann, Elias Hodel, and Daniel Farinotti
Earth Surf. Dynam., 10, 723–741, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-10-723-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-10-723-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Climate change is rapidly altering high-alpine landscapes. The formation of new lakes in areas becoming ice free due to glacier retreat is one of the many consequences of this process. Here, we provide an estimate for the number, size, time of emergence, and sediment infill of future glacier lakes that will emerge in the Swiss Alps. We estimate that up to ~ 680 potential lakes could form over the course of the 21st century, with the potential to hold a total water volume of up to ~ 1.16 km3.
Loris Compagno, Matthias Huss, Evan Stewart Miles, Michael James McCarthy, Harry Zekollari, Amaury Dehecq, Francesca Pellicciotti, and Daniel Farinotti
The Cryosphere, 16, 1697–1718, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-1697-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-1697-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We present a new approach for modelling debris area and thickness evolution. We implement the module into a combined mass-balance ice-flow model, and we apply it using different climate scenarios to project the future evolution of all glaciers in High Mountain Asia. We show that glacier geometry, volume, and flow velocity evolve differently when modelling explicitly debris cover compared to glacier evolution without the debris-cover module, demonstrating the importance of accounting for debris.
Rebecca Gugerli, Darin Desilets, and Nadine Salzmann
The Cryosphere, 16, 799–806, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-799-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-799-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Monitoring the snow water equivalent (SWE) in high mountain regions is highly important and a challenge. We explore the use of muon counts to infer SWE temporally continuously. We deployed muonic cosmic ray snow gauges (µ-CRSG) on a Swiss glacier over the winter 2020/21. Evaluated with manual SWE measurements and SWE estimates inferred from neutron counts, we conclude that the µ-CRSG is a highly promising method for remote high mountain regions with several advantages over other current methods.
Daniel Power, Miguel Angel Rico-Ramirez, Sharon Desilets, Darin Desilets, and Rafael Rosolem
Geosci. Model Dev., 14, 7287–7307, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-7287-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-7287-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Cosmic-ray neutron sensors estimate root-zone soil moisture at sub-kilometre scales. There are national-scale networks of these sensors across the globe; however, methods for converting neutron signals to soil moisture values are inconsistent. This paper describes our open-source Python tool that processes raw sensor data into soil moisture estimates. The aim is to allow a user to ensure they have a harmonized data set, along with informative metadata, to facilitate both research and teaching.
Anton Jitnikovitch, Philip Marsh, Branden Walker, and Darin Desilets
The Cryosphere, 15, 5227–5239, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-5227-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-5227-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Conventional methods used to measure snow have many limitations which hinder our ability to document annual cycles, test predictive models, or analyze the impact of climate change. A modern snow measurement method using in situ cosmic ray neutron sensors demonstrates the capability of continuously measuring spatially variable snowpacks with considerable accuracy. These sensors can provide important data for testing models, validating remote sensing, and water resource management applications.
Christophe Ogier, Mauro A. Werder, Matthias Huss, Isabelle Kull, David Hodel, and Daniel Farinotti
The Cryosphere, 15, 5133–5150, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-5133-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-5133-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Glacier-dammed lakes are prone to draining rapidly when the ice dam breaks and constitute a serious threat to populations downstream. Such a lake drainage can proceed through an open-air channel at the glacier surface. In this study, we present what we believe to be the most complete dataset to date of an ice-dammed lake drainage through such an open-air channel. We provide new insights for future glacier-dammed lake drainage modelling studies and hazard assessments.
Johannes Marian Landmann, Hans Rudolf Künsch, Matthias Huss, Christophe Ogier, Markus Kalisch, and Daniel Farinotti
The Cryosphere, 15, 5017–5040, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-5017-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-5017-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, we (1) acquire real-time information on point glacier mass balance with autonomous real-time cameras and (2) assimilate these observations into a mass balance model ensemble driven by meteorological input. For doing so, we use a customized particle filter that we designed for the specific purposes of our study. We find melt rates of up to 0.12 m water equivalent per day and show that our assimilation method has a higher performance than reference mass balance models.
Hannah R. Field, William H. Armstrong, and Matthias Huss
The Cryosphere, 15, 3255–3278, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-3255-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-3255-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
The growth of a glacier lake alters the hydrology, ecology, and glaciology of its surrounding region. We investigate modern glacier lake area change across northwestern North America using repeat satellite imagery. Broadly, we find that lakes downstream from glaciers grew, while lakes dammed by glaciers shrunk. Our results suggest that the shape of the landscape surrounding a glacier lake plays a larger role in determining how quickly a lake changes than climatic or glaciologic factors.
Loris Compagno, Sarah Eggs, Matthias Huss, Harry Zekollari, and Daniel Farinotti
The Cryosphere, 15, 2593–2599, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-2593-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-2593-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Recently, discussions have focused on the difference in limiting the increase in global average temperatures to below 1.0, 1.5, or 2.0 °C compared to preindustrial levels. Here, we assess the impacts that such different scenarios would have on both the future evolution of glaciers in the European Alps and the water resources they provide. Our results show that the different temperature targets have important implications for the changes predicted until 2100.
Rebecca Gugerli, Matteo Guidicelli, Marco Gabella, Matthias Huss, and Nadine Salzmann
Adv. Sci. Res., 18, 7–20, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-18-7-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-18-7-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
To obtain reliable snowfall estimates in high mountain remains a challenge. This study uses daily snow water equivalent (SWE) estimates by a cosmic ray sensor on two Swiss glaciers to assess three
readily-available high-quality precipitation products. We find a large bias between in situ SWE and snowfall, which differs among the precipitation products, the two sites, the winter seasons and in situ meteorological conditions. All products have great potential for various applications in the Alps.
Ethan Welty, Michael Zemp, Francisco Navarro, Matthias Huss, Johannes J. Fürst, Isabelle Gärtner-Roer, Johannes Landmann, Horst Machguth, Kathrin Naegeli, Liss M. Andreassen, Daniel Farinotti, Huilin Li, and GlaThiDa Contributors
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 12, 3039–3055, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-12-3039-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-12-3039-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Knowing the thickness of glacier ice is critical for predicting the rate of glacier loss and the myriad downstream impacts. To facilitate forecasts of future change, we have added 3 million measurements to our worldwide database of glacier thickness: 14 % of global glacier area is now within 1 km of a thickness measurement (up from 6 %). To make it easier to update and monitor the quality of our database, we have used automated tools to check and track changes to the data over time.
Álvaro Ayala, David Farías-Barahona, Matthias Huss, Francesca Pellicciotti, James McPhee, and Daniel Farinotti
The Cryosphere, 14, 2005–2027, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-2005-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-2005-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
We reconstruct past glacier changes (1955–2016) and estimate the committed ice loss in the Maipo River basin (semi-arid Andes of Chile), with a focus on glacier runoff. We found that glacier volume has decreased by one-fifth since 1955 and that glacier runoff shows a sequence of decreasing maxima starting in a severe drought in 1968. As meltwater originating from the Andes plays a key role in this dry region, our results can be useful for developing adaptation or mitigation strategies.
Michael Zemp, Matthias Huss, Nicolas Eckert, Emmanuel Thibert, Frank Paul, Samuel U. Nussbaumer, and Isabelle Gärtner-Roer
The Cryosphere, 14, 1043–1050, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-1043-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-1043-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Comprehensive assessments of global glacier mass changes have been published at multi-annual intervals, typically in IPCC reports. For the years in between, we present an approach to infer timely but preliminary estimates of global-scale glacier mass changes from glaciological observations. These ad hoc estimates for 2017/18 indicate that annual glacier contributions to sea-level rise exceeded 1 mm sea-level equivalent, which corresponds to more than a quarter of the currently observed rise.
Désirée Treichler, Andreas Kääb, Nadine Salzmann, and Chong-Yu Xu
The Cryosphere, 13, 2977–3005, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-2977-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-2977-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
Glacier growth such as that found on the Tibetan Plateau (TP) is counterintuitive in a warming world. Climate models and meteorological data are conflicting about the reasons for this glacier anomaly. We quantify the glacier changes in High Mountain Asia using satellite laser altimetry as well as the growth of over 1300 inland lakes on the TP. Our study suggests that increased summer precipitation is likely the largest contributor to the recently observed increases in glacier and lake masses.
Manuela I. Brunner, Daniel Farinotti, Harry Zekollari, Matthias Huss, and Massimiliano Zappa
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 23, 4471–4489, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-23-4471-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-23-4471-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
River flow regimes are expected to change and so are extreme flow regimes. We propose two methods for estimating extreme flow regimes and show on a data set from Switzerland how these extreme regimes are expected to change. Our results show that changes in low- and high-flow regimes are distinct for rainfall- and melt-dominated regions. Our findings provide guidance in water resource planning and management.
Harry Zekollari, Matthias Huss, and Daniel Farinotti
The Cryosphere, 13, 1125–1146, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-1125-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-1125-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
Glaciers in the European Alps play an important role in the hydrological cycle, act as a source for hydroelectricity and have a large touristic importance. We model the future evolution of all glaciers in the Alps with a novel model that combines both ice flow and melt processes. We find that under a limited warming scenario about one-third of the present-day ice volume will still be present by the end of the century, while under strong warming more than 90 % of the volume will be lost by 2100.
Kathrin Naegeli, Matthias Huss, and Martin Hoelzle
The Cryosphere, 13, 397–412, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-397-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-397-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
The paper investigates the temporal changes of bare-ice glacier surface albedo in the Swiss Alps between 1999 and 2016 from a regional to local scale using satellite data. Significant negative trends were found in the lowermost elevations and margins of the ablation zones. Although significant changes of glacier ice albedo are only present over a limited area, we emphasize that albedo feedback will considerably enhance the rate of glacier mass loss in the Swiss Alps in the near future.
Sarah Shannon, Robin Smith, Andy Wiltshire, Tony Payne, Matthias Huss, Richard Betts, John Caesar, Aris Koutroulis, Darren Jones, and Stephan Harrison
The Cryosphere, 13, 325–350, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-325-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-325-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
We present global glacier volume projections for the end of this century, under a range of high-end climate change scenarios, defined as exceeding 2 °C global average warming. The ice loss contribution to sea level rise for all glaciers excluding those on the peripheral of the Antarctic ice sheet is 215.2 ± 21.3 mm. Such large ice losses will have consequences for sea level rise and for water supply in glacier-fed river systems.
Julien Seguinot, Susan Ivy-Ochs, Guillaume Jouvet, Matthias Huss, Martin Funk, and Frank Preusser
The Cryosphere, 12, 3265–3285, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-3265-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-3265-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
About 25 000 years ago, Alpine glaciers filled most of the valleys and even extended onto the plains. In this study, with help from traces left by glaciers on the landscape, we use a computer model that contains knowledge of glacier physics based on modern observations of Greenland and Antarctica and laboratory experiments on ice, and one of the fastest computers in the world, to attempt a reconstruction of the evolution of Alpine glaciers through time from 120 000 years ago to today.
Ian M. Howat, Santiago de la Peña, Darin Desilets, and Gary Womack
The Cryosphere, 12, 2099–2108, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-2099-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-2099-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
In this paper we present the first application of cosmic ray neutron sensing for continuously measuring in situ accumulation on an ice sheet. We validate these results with manual snow coring and snow stake measurements, showing that the cosmic ray observations are of similar if not better accuracy. We also present our observations of variability in accumulation over 24 months at Summit Camp, Greenland. We conclude that cosmic ray sensing has a high potential for measuring surface mass balance.
Martina Barandun, Matthias Huss, Ryskul Usubaliev, Erlan Azisov, Etienne Berthier, Andreas Kääb, Tobias Bolch, and Martin Hoelzle
The Cryosphere, 12, 1899–1919, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-1899-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-1899-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, we used three independent methods (in situ measurements, comparison of digital elevation models and modelling) to reconstruct the mass change from 2000 to 2016 for three glaciers in the Tien Shan and Pamir. Snow lines observed on remote sensing images were used to improve conventional modelling by constraining a mass balance model. As a result, glacier mass changes for unmeasured years and glaciers can be better assessed. Substantial mass loss was confirmed for the three glaciers.
Martin Schrön, Steffen Zacharias, Gary Womack, Markus Köhli, Darin Desilets, Sascha E. Oswald, Jan Bumberger, Hannes Mollenhauer, Simon Kögler, Paul Remmler, Mandy Kasner, Astrid Denk, and Peter Dietrich
Geosci. Instrum. Method. Data Syst., 7, 83–99, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-7-83-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-7-83-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Cosmic-ray neutron sensing (CRNS) is a unique technology to monitor water storages in complex environments, non-invasively, continuously, autonomuously, and representatively in large areas. However, neutron detector signals are not comparable per se: there is statistical noise, technical differences, and locational effects. We found out what it takes to make CRNS consistent in time and space to ensure reliable data quality. We further propose a method to correct for sealed areas in the footrint.
Martin Beniston, Daniel Farinotti, Markus Stoffel, Liss M. Andreassen, Erika Coppola, Nicolas Eckert, Adriano Fantini, Florie Giacona, Christian Hauck, Matthias Huss, Hendrik Huwald, Michael Lehning, Juan-Ignacio López-Moreno, Jan Magnusson, Christoph Marty, Enrique Morán-Tejéda, Samuel Morin, Mohamed Naaim, Antonello Provenzale, Antoine Rabatel, Delphine Six, Johann Stötter, Ulrich Strasser, Silvia Terzago, and Christian Vincent
The Cryosphere, 12, 759–794, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-759-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-759-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
This paper makes a rather exhaustive overview of current knowledge of past, current, and future aspects of cryospheric issues in continental Europe and makes a number of reflections of areas of uncertainty requiring more attention in both scientific and policy terms. The review paper is completed by a bibliography containing 350 recent references that will certainly be of value to scholars engaged in the fields of glacier, snow, and permafrost research.
Nadine Feiger, Matthias Huss, Silvan Leinss, Leo Sold, and Daniel Farinotti
Geogr. Helv., 73, 1–9, https://doi.org/10.5194/gh-73-1-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/gh-73-1-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
This contribution presents two updated bedrock topographies and ice thickness distributions with a new uncertainty assessment for Gries- and Findelengletscher, Switzerland. The results are based on ground-penetrating radar (GPR) measurements and the
ice thickness estimation method (ITEM). The results show a total glacier volume of 0.28 ± 0.06 and 1.00 ± 0.34 km3 for Gries- and Findelengletscher, respectively, with corresponding average ice thicknesses of 56.8 ± 12.7 and 56.3 ± 19.6 m.
Martin Hoelzle, Erlan Azisov, Martina Barandun, Matthias Huss, Daniel Farinotti, Abror Gafurov, Wilfried Hagg, Ruslan Kenzhebaev, Marlene Kronenberg, Horst Machguth, Alexandr Merkushkin, Bolot Moldobekov, Maxim Petrov, Tomas Saks, Nadine Salzmann, Tilo Schöne, Yuri Tarasov, Ryskul Usubaliev, Sergiy Vorogushyn, Andrey Yakovlev, and Michael Zemp
Geosci. Instrum. Method. Data Syst., 6, 397–418, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-6-397-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-6-397-2017, 2017
Daniel Farinotti, Douglas J. Brinkerhoff, Garry K. C. Clarke, Johannes J. Fürst, Holger Frey, Prateek Gantayat, Fabien Gillet-Chaulet, Claire Girard, Matthias Huss, Paul W. Leclercq, Andreas Linsbauer, Horst Machguth, Carlos Martin, Fabien Maussion, Mathieu Morlighem, Cyrille Mosbeux, Ankur Pandit, Andrea Portmann, Antoine Rabatel, RAAJ Ramsankaran, Thomas J. Reerink, Olivier Sanchez, Peter A. Stentoft, Sangita Singh Kumari, Ward J. J. van Pelt, Brian Anderson, Toby Benham, Daniel Binder, Julian A. Dowdeswell, Andrea Fischer, Kay Helfricht, Stanislav Kutuzov, Ivan Lavrentiev, Robert McNabb, G. Hilmar Gudmundsson, Huilin Li, and Liss M. Andreassen
The Cryosphere, 11, 949–970, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-949-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-949-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
ITMIX – the Ice Thickness Models Intercomparison eXperiment – was the first coordinated performance assessment for models inferring glacier ice thickness from surface characteristics. Considering 17 different models and 21 different test cases, we show that although solutions of individual models can differ considerably, an ensemble average can yield uncertainties in the order of 10 ± 24 % the mean ice thickness. Ways forward for improving such estimates are sketched.
Mie Andreasen, Karsten H. Jensen, Darin Desilets, Marek Zreda, Heye R. Bogena, and Majken C. Looms
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 21, 1875–1894, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-1875-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-1875-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
The cosmic-ray method holds a potential for quantifying canopy interception and biomass. We use measurements and modeling of thermal and epithermal neutron intensity in a forest to examine this potential. Canopy interception is a variable important to forest hydrology, yet difficult to monitor remotely. Forest growth impacts the carbon-cycle and can be used to mitigate climate changes by carbon sequestration in biomass. An efficient method to monitor tree growth is therefore of high relevance.
Vanessa Round, Silvan Leinss, Matthias Huss, Christoph Haemmig, and Irena Hajnsek
The Cryosphere, 11, 723–739, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-723-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-723-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Recent surging of Kyagar Glacier (Karakoram) caused a hazardous ice-dammed lake to form and burst in 2015 and 2016. We use remotely sensed glacier surface velocities and surface elevation to observe dramatic changes in speed and mass distribution during the surge. The surge was hydrologically controlled with rapid summer onset and dramatic termination following lake outburst. Since the surge, the potential outburst hazard has remained high, and continued remote monitoring is crucial.
Antoine Marmy, Jan Rajczak, Reynald Delaloye, Christin Hilbich, Martin Hoelzle, Sven Kotlarski, Christophe Lambiel, Jeannette Noetzli, Marcia Phillips, Nadine Salzmann, Benno Staub, and Christian Hauck
The Cryosphere, 10, 2693–2719, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-10-2693-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-10-2693-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
This paper presents a new semi-automated method to calibrate the 1-D soil model COUP. It is the first time (as far as we know) that this approach is developed for mountain permafrost. It is applied at six test sites in the Swiss Alps. In a second step, the calibrated model is used for RCM-based simulations with specific downscaling of RCM data to the borehole scale. We show projections of the permafrost evolution at the six sites until the end of the century and according to the A1B scenario.
Mauro Fischer, Matthias Huss, Mario Kummert, and Martin Hoelzle
The Cryosphere, 10, 1279–1295, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-10-1279-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-10-1279-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
This study provides the first thorough validation of geodetic glacier mass changes derived from close-range high-resolution remote sensing techniques, and highlights the potential of terrestrial laser scanning for repeated mass balance monitoring of very small alpine glaciers. The presented methodology is promising, as laborious and potentially dangerous in situ measurements as well as the spatial inter- and extrapolation of point measurements over the entire glacier can be circumvented.
James S. Douglas, Matthias Huss, Darrel A. Swift, Julie M. Jones, and Franco Salerno
The Cryosphere Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2016-116, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2016-116, 2016
Revised manuscript has not been submitted
Short summary
Short summary
Glacier behaviour in high-mountain Asia is different from other regions due to debris cover and ice stagnation. This study incorporates these factors into a glacio-hydrological model for the first time at the Khumbu Glacier, Nepal. We show that including debris provides a more realistic representation of the Khumbu Glacier than in previous runoff models, and that changes to the debris surface significantly influence glacier and runoff evolution, with impacts on downstream water resources.
J. Gabbi, M. Huss, A. Bauder, F. Cao, and M. Schwikowski
The Cryosphere, 9, 1385–1400, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-1385-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-1385-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
Light-absorbing impurities in snow and ice increase the absorption of solar radiation and thus enhance melting. We investigated the effect of Saharan dust and black carbon on the mass balance of an Alpine glacier over 1914-2014. Snow impurities increased melt by 15-19% depending on the location on the glacier. From the accumulation area towards the equilibrium line, the effect of impurities increased as more frequent years with negative mass balance led to a re-exposure of dust-enriched layers.
L. Sold, M. Huss, A. Eichler, M. Schwikowski, and M. Hoelzle
The Cryosphere, 9, 1075–1087, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-1075-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-1075-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
This study presents a method for estimating annual accumulation rates on a temperate Alpine glacier based on the interpretation of internal reflection horizons in helicopter-borne ground-penetrating radar (GPR) data. In combination with a simple model for firn densification and refreezing of meltwater, GPR can be used not only to complement existing mass balance monitoring programmes but also to retrospectively extend newly initiated time series.
M. Fischer, M. Huss, and M. Hoelzle
The Cryosphere, 9, 525–540, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-525-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-525-2015, 2015
C. Huggel, A. Raissig, M. Rohrer, G. Romero, A. Diaz, and N. Salzmann
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 15, 475–485, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-15-475-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-15-475-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
Three different disaster databases are analyzed for detection of decadal spatiotemporal changes in the Andes of Peru. We find large variations in the disaster metrics depending on the database. We recommend that the type, method and source of documentation should be carefully evaluated for any analysis of disaster databases; reporting criteria should be improved and documentation efforts strengthened.
H. Frey, H. Machguth, M. Huss, C. Huggel, S. Bajracharya, T. Bolch, A. Kulkarni, A. Linsbauer, N. Salzmann, and M. Stoffel
The Cryosphere, 8, 2313–2333, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-8-2313-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-8-2313-2014, 2014
Short summary
Short summary
Existing methods (area–volume relations, a slope-dependent volume estimation method, and two ice-thickness distribution models) are used to estimate the ice reserves stored in Himalayan–Karakoram glaciers. Resulting volumes range from 2955–4737km³. Results from the ice-thickness distribution models agree well with local measurements; volume estimates from area-related relations exceed the estimates from the other approaches. Evidence on the effect of the selected method on results is provided.
H. Machguth and M. Huss
The Cryosphere, 8, 1741–1755, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-8-1741-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-8-1741-2014, 2014
M. Huss and D. Farinotti
The Cryosphere, 8, 1261–1273, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-8-1261-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-8-1261-2014, 2014
M. Huss, A. Voinesco, and M. Hoelzle
Geogr. Helv., 68, 227–237, https://doi.org/10.5194/gh-68-227-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/gh-68-227-2013, 2013
D. Farinotti and M. Huss
The Cryosphere, 7, 1707–1720, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-7-1707-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-7-1707-2013, 2013
D. Finger, A. Hugentobler, M. Huss, A. Voinesco, H. Wernli, D. Fischer, E. Weber, P.-Y. Jeannin, M. Kauzlaric, A. Wirz, T. Vennemann, F. Hüsler, B. Schädler, and R. Weingartner
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 17, 3261–3277, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-17-3261-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-17-3261-2013, 2013
M. Zemp, E. Thibert, M. Huss, D. Stumm, C. Rolstad Denby, C. Nuth, S. U. Nussbaumer, G. Moholdt, A. Mercer, C. Mayer, P. C. Joerg, P. Jansson, B. Hynek, A. Fischer, H. Escher-Vetter, H. Elvehøy, and L. M. Andreassen
The Cryosphere, 7, 1227–1245, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-7-1227-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-7-1227-2013, 2013
M. Huss
The Cryosphere, 7, 877–887, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-7-877-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-7-877-2013, 2013
Related subject area
Discipline: Snow | Subject: Instrumentation
A random forest approach to quality-checking automatic snow-depth sensor measurements
Brief communication: Comparison of in situ ephemeral snow depth measurements over a mixed-use temperate forest landscape
Monitoring snow water equivalent using the phase of RFID signals
Mapping snow depth on Canadian sub-arctic lakes using ground-penetrating radar
Comparison of manual snow water equivalent (SWE) measurements: seeking the reference for a true SWE value in a boreal biome
Brief communication: Application of a muonic cosmic ray snow gauge to monitor the snow water equivalent on alpine glaciers
GNSS signal-based snow water equivalent determination for different snowpack conditions along a steep elevation gradient
Snow water equivalent measurement in the Arctic based on cosmic ray neutron attenuation
Review article: Performance assessment of radiation-based field sensors for monitoring the water equivalent of snow cover (SWE)
Spectral albedo measurements over snow-covered slopes: theory and slope effect corrections
Monitoring of snow surface near-infrared bidirectional reflectance factors with added light-absorbing particles
An assessment of sub-snow GPS for quantification of snow water equivalent
Giulia Blandini, Francesco Avanzi, Simone Gabellani, Denise Ponziani, Hervé Stevenin, Sara Ratto, Luca Ferraris, and Alberto Viglione
The Cryosphere, 17, 5317–5333, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-5317-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-5317-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Automatic snow depth data are a valuable source of information for hydrologists, but they also tend to be noisy. To maximize the value of these measurements for real-world applications, we developed an automatic procedure to differentiate snow cover from grass or bare ground data, as well as to detect random errors. This procedure can enhance snow data quality, thus providing more reliable data for snow models.
Holly Proulx, Jennifer M. Jacobs, Elizabeth A. Burakowski, Eunsang Cho, Adam G. Hunsaker, Franklin B. Sullivan, Michael Palace, and Cameron Wagner
The Cryosphere, 17, 3435–3442, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-3435-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-3435-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This study compares snow depth measurements from two manual instruments in a field and forest. Snow depths measured using a magnaprobe were typically 1 to 3 cm deeper than those measured using a snow tube. These differences were greater in the forest than in the field.
Mathieu Le Breton, Éric Larose, Laurent Baillet, Yves Lejeune, and Alec van Herwijnen
The Cryosphere, 17, 3137–3156, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-3137-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-3137-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We monitor the amount of snow on the ground using passive radiofrequency identification (RFID) tags. These small and inexpensive tags are wirelessly read by a stationary reader placed above the snowpack. Variations in the radiofrequency phase delay accurately reflect variations in snow amount, known as snow water equivalent. Additionally, each tag is equipped with a sensor that monitors the snow temperature.
Alicia F. Pouw, Homa Kheyrollah Pour, and Alex MacLean
The Cryosphere, 17, 2367–2385, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-2367-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-2367-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Collecting spatial lake snow depth data is essential for improving lake ice models. Lake ice growth is directly affected by snow on the lake. However, snow on lake ice is highly influenced by wind redistribution, making it important but challenging to measure accurately in a fast and efficient way. This study utilizes ground-penetrating radar on lakes in Canada's sub-arctic to capture spatial lake snow depth and shows success within 10 % error when compared to manual snow depth measurements.
Maxime Beaudoin-Galaise and Sylvain Jutras
The Cryosphere, 16, 3199–3214, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-3199-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-3199-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Our study presents an analysis of the uncertainty and measurement error of manual measurement methods of the snow water equivalent (SWE). Snow pit and snow sampler measurements were taken during five consecutive winters. Our results show that, although the snow pit is considered a SWE reference in the literature, it is a method with higher uncertainty and measurement error than large diameter samplers, considered according to our results as the most appropriate reference in a boreal biome.
Rebecca Gugerli, Darin Desilets, and Nadine Salzmann
The Cryosphere, 16, 799–806, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-799-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-799-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Monitoring the snow water equivalent (SWE) in high mountain regions is highly important and a challenge. We explore the use of muon counts to infer SWE temporally continuously. We deployed muonic cosmic ray snow gauges (µ-CRSG) on a Swiss glacier over the winter 2020/21. Evaluated with manual SWE measurements and SWE estimates inferred from neutron counts, we conclude that the µ-CRSG is a highly promising method for remote high mountain regions with several advantages over other current methods.
Achille Capelli, Franziska Koch, Patrick Henkel, Markus Lamm, Florian Appel, Christoph Marty, and Jürg Schweizer
The Cryosphere, 16, 505–531, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-505-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-505-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Snow occurrence, snow amount, snow density and liquid water content (LWC) can vary considerably with climatic conditions and elevation. We show that low-cost Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) sensors as GPS can be used for reliably measuring the amount of water stored in the snowpack or snow water equivalent (SWE), snow depth and the LWC under a broad range of climatic conditions met at different elevations in the Swiss Alps.
Anton Jitnikovitch, Philip Marsh, Branden Walker, and Darin Desilets
The Cryosphere, 15, 5227–5239, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-5227-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-5227-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Conventional methods used to measure snow have many limitations which hinder our ability to document annual cycles, test predictive models, or analyze the impact of climate change. A modern snow measurement method using in situ cosmic ray neutron sensors demonstrates the capability of continuously measuring spatially variable snowpacks with considerable accuracy. These sensors can provide important data for testing models, validating remote sensing, and water resource management applications.
Alain Royer, Alexandre Roy, Sylvain Jutras, and Alexandre Langlois
The Cryosphere, 15, 5079–5098, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-5079-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-5079-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Dense spatially distributed networks of autonomous instruments for continuously measuring the amount of snow on the ground are needed for operational water resource and flood management and the monitoring of northern climate change. Four new-generation non-invasive sensors are compared. A review of their advantages, drawbacks and accuracy is discussed. This performance analysis is intended to help researchers and decision-makers choose the one system that is best suited to their needs.
Ghislain Picard, Marie Dumont, Maxim Lamare, François Tuzet, Fanny Larue, Roberta Pirazzini, and Laurent Arnaud
The Cryosphere, 14, 1497–1517, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-1497-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-1497-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Surface albedo is an essential variable of snow-covered areas. The measurement of this variable over a tilted terrain with levelled sensors is affected by artefacts that need to be corrected. Here we develop a theory of spectral albedo measurement over slopes from which we derive four correction algorithms. The comparison to in situ measurements taken in the Alps shows the adequacy of the theory, and the application of the algorithms shows systematic improvements.
Adam Schneider, Mark Flanner, Roger De Roo, and Alden Adolph
The Cryosphere, 13, 1753–1766, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-1753-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-1753-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
To study the process of snow aging, we engineered a prototype instrument called the Near-Infrared Emitting and Reflectance-Monitoring Dome (NERD). Using the NERD, we observed rapid snow aging in experiments with added light absorbing particles (LAPs). Particulate matter deposited on the snow increased absorption of solar energy and enhanced snow melt. These results indicate the role of LAPs' indirect effect on snow aging through a positive feedback mechanism related to the snow grain size.
Ladina Steiner, Michael Meindl, Charles Fierz, and Alain Geiger
The Cryosphere, 12, 3161–3175, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-3161-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-3161-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
The amount of water stored in snow cover is of high importance for flood risks, climate change, and early-warning systems. We evaluate the potential of using GPS to estimate the stored water. We use GPS antennas buried underneath the snowpack and develop a model based on the path elongation of the GPS signals while propagating through the snowpack. The method works well over full seasons, including melt periods. Results correspond within 10 % to the state-of-the-art reference data.
Cited articles
Ali, S. A., Aadhar, S., Shah, H. L., and Mishra, V.: Projected Increase in
Hydropower Production in India under Climate Change, Sci. Rep., 8,
12450, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-30489-4, 2018. a
Andreasen, M., Jensen, K. H., Desilets, D., Franz, T. E., Zreda, M., Bogena,
H. R., and Looms, M. C.: Status and Perspectives on the Cosmic-Ray Neutron
Method for Soil Moisture Estimation and Other Environmental Science
Applications, Vadose Zone J., 16, 1–11, https://doi.org/10.2136/vzj2017.04.0086,
2017. a, b, c, d
Barnett, T. P., Adam, J. C., and Lettenmaier, D. P.: Potential impacts of a
warming climate on water availability in snow-dominated regions, Nature,
438, 303–309, https://doi.org/10.1038/nature04141, 2005. a
Castebrunet, H., Eckert, N., Giraud, G., Durand, Y., and Morin, S.: Projected changes of snow conditions and avalanche activity in a warming climate: the French Alps over the 2020–2050 and 2070–2100 periods, The Cryosphere, 8, 1673–1697, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-8-1673-2014, 2014. a
Clifford, D.: Global estimates of snow water equivalent from passive microwave instruments: History, challenges and future developments, Int. J. Remote Sens., 31, 3707–3726, https://doi.org/10.1080/01431161.2010.483482, 2010. a
Cogley, J., Hock, R., Rasmussen, L., Arendt, A., Bauder, A., Braithwaite, R.,
Jansson, P., Kaser, G., Möller, M., Nicholson, L., and Zemp, M.:
Glossary of Glacier Mass Balance and Related Terms, IHP-VII Technical
Documents in Hydrology No. 86, IACS Contribution No. 2, UNESCO-IHP, Paris,
2011. a
Desilets, D., Zreda, M., and Prabu, T.: Extended scaling factors for in situ
cosmogenic nuclides: New measurements at low latitude, Earth Planet. Sc. Lett., 246, 265–276, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2006.03.051, 2006. a, b
Dietz, A. J., Kuenzer, C., Gessner, U., and Dech, S.: Remote sensing of snow – a review of available methods, Int. J. Remote Sens., 33,
4094–4134, https://doi.org/10.1080/01431161.2011.640964, 2012. a
Egli, L., Jonas, T., and Meister, R.: Comparison of different automatic
methods for estimating snow water equivalent,
Cold Reg. Sci. Technol., 57, 107–115, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2009.02.008, 2009. a
Fierz, C., Armstrong, R., Durand, Y., Etchevers, P., Greene, E., McClung, D.,
Nishimura, K., Satyawali, P., and Sokratov, S.: The international
classification for seasonal snow on the ground, IHP-VII Technical Documents
in Hydrology No. 83, IACS Contribution No. 1, UNESCO-IHP, Paris, 2009. a
Fischer, M., Huss, M., Barboux, C., and Hoelzle, M.: The new Swiss Glacier
Inventory SGI2010: relevance of using high-resolution source data in areas
dominated by very small glaciers, Arct. Antarct. Alp. Res.,
46, 933–945, https://doi.org/10.1657/1938-4246-46.4.933, 2014. a
GLAMOS: The Swiss Glaciers 1880-2016/17, Glaciological Reports No. 1–138,
Yearbooks of the Cryospheric Commission of the Swiss Academy of Sciences
(SCNAT), published since 1964 by VAW/ ETH Zurich,
https://doi.org/10.18752/glrep_series, 1881–2018. a, b
GLAMOS: The Swiss Glaciers 2015/16–2016/17, Glaciological Reports No 137–138, Yearbooks of the Cryospheric Commission of the Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT), published since 1964 by VAW/ ETH Zurich,
https://doi.org/10.18752/glrep_137-138, 2018. a, b, c, d
Goodison, B. E., Louie, P., and Yang, D.: WMO solid precipitation measurement
intercomparison, Tech. Rep. 67, World Meteorological Organization, 1998. a
Hawdon, A., McJannet, D., and Wallace, J.: Calibration and correction
procedures for cosmic-ray neutron soil moisture probes located across
Australia, Water Resour. Res., 50, 5029–5043,
https://doi.org/10.1002/2013WR015138, 2014. a, b
Heilig, A., Schneebeli, M., and Eisen, O.: Upward-looking ground-penetrating
radar for monitoring snowpack stratigraphy, Cold Reg. Sci. Technol., 59, 152–162, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2009.07.008, 2009. a
Heilig, A., Eisen, O., and Schneebeli, M.: Temporal observations of a seasonal snowpack using upward-looking GPR, Hydrol. Proc., 24, 3133–3145,
https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.7749, 2010. a
Henkel, P., Koch, F., Appel, F., Bach, H., and Prasch, M.: Snow Water
Equivalent of Dry Snow Derived From GNSS Carrier Phases, IEEE T. Geosci. Remote, 56, 3561–3572,
https://doi.org/10.1109/TGRS.2018.2802494, 2018. a
Hill, D. F., Burakowski, E. A., Crumley, R. L., Keon, J., Hu, J. M., Arendt, A. A., Wikstrom Jones, K., and Wolken, G. J.: Converting snow depth to snow water equivalent using climatological variables, The Cryosphere, 13, 1767–1784, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-1767-2019, 2019. a
Huss, M., Bauder, A., and Funk, M.: Homogenization of long-term mass-balance
time series, Ann. Glaciol., 50, 198–206,
https://doi.org/10.3189/172756409787769627, 2009. a
Huss, M., Voinesco, A., and Hoelzle, M.: Implications of climate change on Glacier de la Plaine Morte, Switzerland, Geogr. Helv., 68, 227–237, https://doi.org/10.5194/gh-68-227-2013, 2013. a, b
Huss, M., Dhulst, L., and Bauder, A.: New long-term mass-balance series for the Swiss Alps, J. Glaciol., 61, 551–562,
https://doi.org/10.3189/2015JoG15J015, 2015. a
Jennings, K. S., Winchell, T. S., Livneh, B., and Molotch, N. P.: Spatial
variation of the rain – snow temperature threshold across the Northern
Hemisphere, Nat. Commun., 9, 1148, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-03629-7, 2018. a
Johnson, J. B. and Schaefer, G. L.: The influence of thermal, hydrologic, and snow deformation mechanisms on snow water equivalent pressure sensor
accuracy, Hydrol. Proc., 16, 3529–3542, https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.1236,
2002. a
Jonas, T., Marty, C., and Magnusson, J.: Estimating the snow water equivalent
from snow depth measurements in the Swiss Alps, J. Hydrol., 378,
161–167, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2009.09.021, 2009. a
Jörg-Hess, S., Griessinger, N., and Zappa, M.: Probabilistic Forecasts
of Snow Water Equivalent and Runoff in Mountainous Areas, J.
Hydrometeorol., 16, 2169–2186, https://doi.org/10.1175/JHM-D-14-0193.1, 2015. a
Kinar, N. J. and Pomeroy, J. W.: Measurement of the physical properties of the snowpack, Rev. Geophys., 53, 481–544,
https://doi.org/10.1002/2015RG000481, 2015. a, b, c, d
Koch, F., Henkel, P., Appel, F., Schmid, L., Bach, H., Lamm, M., Prasch, M.,
Schweizer, J., and Mauser, W.: Retrieval of Snow Water Equivalent , Liquid
Water Content , and Snow Height of Dry and Wet Snow by Combining GPS Signal
Attenuation and Time Delay, Water Resour. Res., 55, 4465–4487, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018WR024431, 2019. a, b
Kochendorfer, J., Nitu, R., Wolff, M., Mekis, E., Rasmussen, R., Baker, B., Earle, M. E., Reverdin, A., Wong, K., Smith, C. D., Yang, D., Roulet, Y.-A., Buisan, S., Laine, T., Lee, G., Aceituno, J. L. C., Alastrué, J., Isaksen, K., Meyers, T., Brækkan, R., Landolt, S., Jachcik, A., and Poikonen, A.: Analysis of single-Alter-shielded and unshielded measurements of mixed and solid precipitation from WMO-SPICE, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 21, 3525–3542, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-3525-2017, 2017. a, b
Kodama, M.: Continuous Monitoring of Snow Water Equivalent Using Cosmic-Ray
Neutrons, Cold Reg. Sci. Technol., 3, 295–303,
https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-232X(80)90036-1, 1980. a, b
Kodama, M., Kawasaki, S., and Wada, M.: A cosmic-ray snow gauge,
Int. J. Appl. Radiat. Is., 26, 774–775,
https://doi.org/10.1016/0020-708X(75)90138-6, 1975. a
Kodama, M., Nakai, K., Kawasaki, S., and Wada, M.: An application of
cosmic-ray neutron measurements to the determination of the snow-water
equivalent, J. Hydrol., 41, 85–92, https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-1694(79)90107-0, 1979. a
Lehning, M., Bartelt, P., Brown, B., Russi, T., Stöckli, U., and
Zimmerli, M.: SNOWPACK model calculations for avalanche warning based upon a
new network of weather and snow stations, Cold Reg. Sci. Technol., 30, 145–157, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-232X(99)00022-1, 1999. a
Lufft: Technical Data. VENTUS-UMB Ultrasonic Wind sensor, Tech. rep., Mess- und Regeltechnik GmbH, 2019. a
Martinaitis, S. M., Cocks, S. B., Qi, Y., Kaney, B. T., Zhang, J., and Howard, K.: Understanding Winter Precipitation Impacts on Automated Gauge
Observations within a Real-Time System, J. Hydrometeorol., 16,
2345–2363, https://doi.org/10.1175/JHM-D-15-0020.1, 2015. a
Marty, C., Abegg, B., Bauder, A., Marmy, A., Lüthi, M., Bavay, M., Hauck, C.,
Hoelzle, M., Huss, M., Salzmann, N., Schlögl, S., Steiger, R., and
Farinotti, D.: CH2014-Impacts, Toward quantitative scenarios of climate
change impacts in Switzerland, in: Cryospheric aspects of climate change –
impacts on snow, ice and ski tourism, OCCR, FOEN, MeteoSwiss,
C2SM, Agroscope, ProClim, 49–55, 2014. a
MeteoSwiss: Documentation of MeteoSwiss Grid-Data Products Daily Precipitation
(final analysis): RhiresD, Tech. Rep. August, available at: https://www.meteosuisse.admin.ch/content/dam/meteoswiss/de/service-und-publikationen/produkt/raeumliche-daten-niederschlag/doc/ProdDoc_RhiresD.pdf (last access: 14 December 2019),
2013. a, b
Mizukami, N. and Perica, S.: Spatiotemporal Characteristics of Snowpack
Density in the Mountainous Regions of the Western United States, J.
Hydrometeorol., 9, 1416–1426, https://doi.org/10.1175/2008JHM981.1, 2008. a
Papula, L.: Mathematische Formelsammlung: für Ingenieure und
Naturwissenschaftler, Springer-Verlag, 10th edn., 2010. a
Paquet, E., Laval, M., Basalaev, L.M., Belov, A., Eroshenko, E., Kartyshov, V., Struminsky, A., and Yanke, V.: An Application of Cosmic-Ray Neutron Measurements to the Determination of the Snow Water Equivalent, Proceedings of the 30th International Cosmic Ray Conference, Merida, Mexico, 3–11 July, 2008. a
Pirazzini, R., Leppänen, L., Picard, G., Lopez-moreno, J. I., Marty, C., Macelloni, G., Kontu, A., von Lerber, A., Tanis, C. M., Schneebeli, M.,
de Rosnay, P., and Arslan, A. N.: European In-Situ Snow Measurements :
Practices and Purposes, Sensors, 18, 7, https://doi.org/10.3390/s18072016,
2018. a, b
Pollock, M. D., O'Donnell, G., Quinn, P., Dutton, M., Black, A., Wilkinson,
M. E., Colli, M., Stagnaro, M., Lanza, L. G., Lewis, E., Kilsby, C. G., and
O'Connell, P. E.: Quantifying and Mitigating Wind-Induced Undercatch in
Rainfall Measurements, Water Resour. Res., 54, 3863–3875,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2017WR022421, 2018. a, b
Pulwicki, A., Flowers, G. E., Radic, V., and Bingham, D.: Estimating winter
balance and its uncertainty from direct measurements of snow depth and
density on alpine glaciers, J. Glaciol., 64, 781–795,
https://doi.org/10.1017/jog.2018.68, 2018. a
Raleigh, M. S. and Small, E. E.: Snowpack density modeling is the primary
source of uncertainty when mapping basin-wide SWE with lidar, Geophys.
Res. Lett., 44, 3700–3709, https://doi.org/10.1002/2016GL071999, 2017. a
Raleigh, M. S., Lundquist, J. D., and Clark, M. P.: Exploring the impact of forcing error characteristics on physically based snow simulations within a global sensitivity analysis framework, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 19, 3153–3179, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-19-3153-2015, 2015. a
Rasmussen, R., Baker, B., Kochendorfer, J., Meyers, T., Landolt, S., Fischer,
A. P., Black, J., Thériault, J. M., Kucera, P., Gochis, D., Smith, C.,
Nitu, R., Hall, M., Ikeda, K., and Gutmann, E.: How well are we measuring
snow: The NOAA/FAA/NCAR winter precipitation test bed, B.
Am. Meteorol. Soc., 93, 811–829,
https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-11-00052.1, 2012. a, b
Saito, K., Yamaguchi, S., Iwata, H., Harazono, Y., Kosugi, K., Lehning, M., and Shulski, M.: Climatic physical snowpack properties for large-scale modeling examined by observations and a physical model, Polar Science, 6, 79–95, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polar.2012.02.003, 2012. a, b
Schattan, P., Baroni, G., Oswald, S. E., Schöber, J., Fey, C., Kormann,
C., Huttenlau, M., and Achleitner, S.: Continuous monitoring of snowpack
dynamics in alpine terrain by aboveground neutron sensing, Water Resour. Res., 53, 3615–3634, https://doi.org/10.1002/2016WR020234, 2017. a, b, c, d
Schmid, L., Heilig, A., Mitterer, C., Schweizer, J., Maurer, H., Okorn, R., and Eisen, O.: Continuous snowpack monitoring using upward-looking
ground-penetrating radar technology, J. Glaciol., 60, 509–525,
https://doi.org/10.3189/2014JoG13J084, 2014. a
Schmid, L., Koch, F., Heilig, A., Prasch, M., Eisen, O., Mauser, W., and
Schweizer, J.: A novel sensor combination (upGPR-GPS) to continuously and
nondestructively derive snow cover properties, Geophys. Res. Lett.,
42, 3397–3405, https://doi.org/10.1002/2015GL063732, 2015. a
Schrön, M., Zacharias, S., Womack, G., Köhli, M., Desilets, D., Oswald, S. E., Bumberger, J., Mollenhauer, H., Kögler, S., Remmler, P., Kasner, M., Denk, A., and Dietrich, P.: Intercomparison of cosmic-ray neutron sensors and water balance monitoring in an urban environment, Geosci. Instrum. Method. Data Syst., 7, 83–99, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-7-83-2018, 2018. a
Sevruk, B., Ondrás, M., and Chvíla, B.: The WMO precipitation
measurement intercomparisons, Atmos. Res., 92, 376–380,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2009.01.016, 2009. a
Sigouin, M. J. P. and Si, B. C.: Calibration of a non-invasive cosmic-ray probe for wide area snow water equivalent measurement, The Cryosphere, 10, 1181–1190, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-10-1181-2016, 2016. a, b, c
Sims, E. M. and Liu, G.: A parameterization of the orobability of snow–rain
transition, J. Hydrometeorol., 16, 1466–1477,
https://doi.org/10.1175/jhm-d-14-0211.1, 2015. a
SLF Data: Automatic snow stations from the Intercantonal Measurement and
Information System (IMIS), WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research
SLF, Davos, Switzerland, 2015. a
Smith, T. and Bookhagen, B.: Assessing uncertainty and sensor biases in passive microwave data across High Mountain Asia, Remote Sens. Environ., 181,
174–185, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2016.03.037, 2016. a
Smith, T. and Bookhagen, B.: Changes in seasonal snow water equivalent
distribution in High Mountain Asia (1987 to 2009), Sci. Adv., 4, e1701550,
https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.1701550, 2018. a
Sold, L., Huss, M., Hoelzle, M., Andereggen, H., Joerg, P. C., and Zemp, M.:
Methodological approaches to infer end-of-winter snow distribution on alpine
glaciers, J. Glaciol., 59, 1047–1059,
https://doi.org/10.3189/2013JoG13J015, 2013. a
Sold, L., Huss, M., Machguth, H., Joerg, P. C., Leysinger Vieli, G., Linsbauer,
A., Salzmann, N., Zemp, M., and Hoelzle, M.: Mass Balance Re-analysis of
Findelengletscher, Switzerland; Benefits of Extensive Snow Accumulation
Measurements, Front. Earth Sci., 4, 18,
https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2016.00018, 2016. a
Sorteberg, H. K., Engeset, R. V., and Udnæs, H. C.: A national network for snow monitoring in Norway: Snow pillow verification using observations and models, Phys. Chem. Earth Pt. C, 26, 723–729, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1464-1917(01)95016-0, 2001. a
Steiner, L., Meindl, M., Fierz, C., and Geiger, A.: An assessment of sub-snow GPS for quantification of snow water equivalent, The Cryosphere, 12, 3161–3175, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-3161-2018, 2018. a
Steiner, L., Meindl, M., Marty, C., and Geiger, A.: Impact of GPS
Processing on the Estimation of Snow Water Equivalent Using Refracted GPS
Signals, IEEE T. Geosci. Remote Sens., 1–13,
https://doi.org/10.1109/TGRS.2019.2934016, 2019. a
Stuefer, S., Kane, L. D., and Liston, G. E.: In situ snow water equivalent
observations in the US Arctic, Hydrol. Res., 44, 21–34,
https://doi.org/10.2166/nh.2012.177, 2013.
a
Sturm, M., Taras, B., Liston, G. E., Derksen, C., Jonas, T., and Lea, J.:
Estimating Snow Water Equivalent Using Snow Depth Data and Climate Classes,
J. Hydrometeorol., 11, 1380–1394, https://doi.org/10.1175/2010JHM1202.1,
2010. a
Sturm, M., Goldstein, M. A., and Parr, C.: Water and life from snow: A
trillion dollar science question, Water Resour. Res., 53, 3534–3544,
https://doi.org/10.1002/2017WR020840, 2017. a
Thibert, E., Blanc, R., Vincent, C., and Eckert, N.: Glaciological and
volumetric mass-balance measurements: Error analysis over 51 years for
Glacier de Sarennes, French Alps, J. Glaciol., 54, 522–532,
https://doi.org/10.3189/002214308785837093, 2008. a
Vionnet, V., Brun, E., Morin, S., Boone, A., Faroux, S., Le Moigne, P., Martin, E., and Willemet, J.-M.: The detailed snowpack scheme Crocus and its implementation in SURFEX v7.2, Geosci. Model Dev., 5, 773–791, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-5-773-2012, 2012. a
Viviroli, D., Dürr, H. H., Messerli, B., Meybeck, M., and Weingartner,
R.: Mountains of the world, water towers for humanity: Typology, mapping,
and global significance, Water Resour. Res., 43, W07447,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2006WR005653, 2007. a
Viviroli, D., Archer, D. R., Buytaert, W., Fowler, H. J., Greenwood, G. B., Hamlet, A. F., Huang, Y., Koboltschnig, G., Litaor, M. I., López-Moreno, J. I., Lorentz, S., Schädler, B., Schreier, H., Schwaiger, K., Vuille, M., and Woods, R.: Climate change and mountain water resources: overview and recommendations for research, management and policy, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 15, 471–504, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-15-471-2011, 2011. a
Zreda, M., Shuttleworth, W. J., Zeng, X., Zweck, C., Desilets, D., Franz, T., and Rosolem, R.: COSMOS: the COsmic-ray Soil Moisture Observing System, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 16, 4079–4099, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-16-4079-2012, 2012. a, b, c
Short summary
The snow water equivalent (SWE) in high mountain regions is crucial for many applications. Yet its quantification remains difficult. We present autonomous daily SWE observations by a cosmic ray sensor (CRS) deployed on a Swiss glacier for two winter seasons. Combined with snow depth observations, we derive the daily bulk snow density. The validation with manual field observations and its measurement reliability show that the CRS is a promising device for high alpine cryospheric environments.
The snow water equivalent (SWE) in high mountain regions is crucial for many applications. Yet...
