Article (Scientific journals)
Greenland ice sheet albedo feedback: thermodynamics and atmospheric drivers
Box, J.; Fettweis, Xavier; Stroeve, J. et al.
2012In The Cryosphere, 6, p. 785-805
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Abstract :
[en] In this study, snowpack scenarios are modelled across the French Alps using dynamically downscaled variables from the ALADIN Regional Climate Model (RCM) for the control period (1961–1990) and three emission scenarios (SRES B1, A1B and A2) for the mid- and late 21st century (2021–2050 and 2071–2100). These variables are statistically adapted to the different elevations, aspects and slopes of the Alpine massifs. For this purpose, we use a simple analogue criterion with ERA40 series as well as an existing detailed climatology of the French Alps (Durand et al., 2009a) that provides complete meteorological fields from the SAFRAN analysis model. The resulting scenarios of precipitation, temperature, wind, cloudiness, longwave and shortwave radiation, and humidity are used to run the physical snow model CROCUS and simulate snowpack evolution over the massifs studied. The seasonal and regional characteristics of the simulated climate and snow cover changes are explored, as is the influence of the scenarios on these changes. Preliminary results suggest that the snow water equivalent (SWE) of the snowpack will decrease dramatically in the next century, especially in the Southern and Extreme Southern parts of the Alps. This decrease seems to result primarily from a general warming throughout the year, and possibly a deficit of precipitation in the autumn. The magnitude of the snow cover decline follows a marked altitudinal gradient, with the highest altitudes being less exposed to climate change. Scenario A2, with its high concentrations of greenhouse gases, results in a SWE reduction roughly twice as large as in the low-emission scenario B1 by the end of the century. This study needs to be completed using simulations from other RCMs, since a multi-model approach is essential for uncertainty analysis.
Disciplines :
Earth sciences & physical geography
Author, co-author :
Box, J.
Fettweis, Xavier  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de géographie > Topoclimatologie
Stroeve, J.
Tedesco, M.
Hal, D.
Steffen, K.
Language :
English
Title :
Greenland ice sheet albedo feedback: thermodynamics and atmospheric drivers
Publication date :
08 August 2012
Journal title :
The Cryosphere
ISSN :
1994-0416
eISSN :
1994-0424
Publisher :
Copernicus, Katlenberg-Lindau, Germany
Volume :
6
Pages :
785-805
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Available on ORBi :
since 17 June 2012

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