Simulation of Hydrological cycle in Western Canadian regions using CLASS/Canadian Regional Climate Model

Waqar Younas, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC, Canada and Stephen J Dery, University of Northern British Columbia, Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Prince George, BC, Canada

Contact First Author: Waqar Younas; vickyqau@gmail.com

Abstract ID#: 36143

 

English Abstract:
The climate of western North America, most notably British Columbia, has changed substantially over the past century and its impacts can be observed widely from its hydrological cycle. In this context, it is vital to monitor and simulate these changes and their impacts on the region’s future hydrology. In this study, the Canadian Land Surface Scheme (CLASS) coupled with the Canadian Regional Climate Model (CRCM) will be implemented to simulate the snow modelling over the principal watersheds of western Canada, e.g. the Nelson, Mackenzie, Columbia and Fraser rivers basins. The emphasis will be placed on the development of a sub-grid scale snow (SSS) parameterization and its impact on representing land surface heterogeneities within the framework of CRCM version 6. The snow parameterization within CRCM will incorporate elevation bands, the consideration of slope and aspect and exposure to wind, among others. It is expected that this work will improve the depiction of snowpack evolution in western North America and will help to evaluate its impacts on regional hydrology.

This study will also focus on some other important issues related to snow modelling of above mentioned regions. For example, the impact of high resolution model integrations combined with SSS parameterizations on the simulation of snow in mountain regions will be assessed. The change in regional hydrology with multi-layer snow model together with the simulation of snow-albedo feedback in CRCM will also be addressed.