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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Boise, Idaho » Northwest Watershed Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #65862
Title: ANALYSIS AND SIMULATION OF A WINTER STORM IN IDAHO

Author
item DAWSON, PAUL - BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY
item Johnson, Gregory
item WANY, DAHONG - UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO

Submitted to: International Gewex Workshop on Cold Season/Regions Hydrometeorology
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/1995
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Because of the extensive use of water in the Pacific Northwest that is stored as snow each winter, it is of interest to many government entities to know the distribution of snow on watersheds as affected by wind and topography. This study analyzed and modeled the variability of precipitation and snow distribution in a mountainous watershed. It provided a dynamic treatment of the snow transport process and a better understanding of the interaction of wind and topography in distributing the snow. The study integrated the capabilities of a state-of-the-art quantitative precipitation forecasting model with the capabilities of a geographic information system for snow transport and accumulation processes over space and time. The unique combination of a well- instrumented watershed, geographical information system techniques, and the state-of-the-art quantitative precipitation forecasting modeling system are expected to provide a more accurate understanding of land surface hydrology over a range of scales.

Technical Abstract: A research study has been initiated to analyze and model the variability of precipitation and snow distribution in a mountainous watershed. The study is complementing an existing, long-term record of snow hydrology on western rangelands. It is providing a dynamic treatment of the snow transport process and a better understanding of the interaction of wind and topography in distributing the snow. The study is integrating the capabilities of a state-of-the-art quantitative precipitation forecasting (QPF) model with the capabilities of a geographic information system (GIS) for snow transport and accumulation processes over space and time. The unique combination of a well-instrumented watershed, GIS techniques, and a state-of-the-art QPF modeling system are expected to provide a more accurate understanding of land surface hydrology over a range of scales.