Ruth Mottram

SVALI post doc: From May 2011

Subject: Surface Mass Balance Modelling of Greenland, Iceland and Svalbard

Theme 3: Understanding the physical processes

Work package 2.3: Interaction of atmospheric, cryospheric and hydrological processes at glacier surfaces 
  
My main focus in the SVALI project will be to dynamically downscale re-analysis and global climate model data with the atmospheric model HIRHAM5 over Greenland, Iceland and Svalbard. The HIRHAM5 model runs at very high resolution and can therefore be used to accurately characterize the present day surface mass balance of the ice sheet and small glaciers, and to make projections for the future when forced with a GCM. The model output can also be used to force numerical models of ice sheets and glaciers. In this project we also aim to improve the parameterisations in the HIRHAM5 model that are important for surface mass balance, to provide improved estimates. Field studies by our partners in the SVALI network will be very important for us in this. The processes we are most keen to improve understanding of include water retention and refreezing in the snow pack (in collaboration with colleagues in Task 2.3) and improved albedo routines for the snow and glacier surfaces.

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