Modelling of large-scale melt parameters with a regional climate model in south Greenland during the 1991 melt season
(2002) International Symposium on Ice Cores and Climate — Location: Kangerlussuaq(Greenland)
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- Authors
van Ypersele de Strihou, Jean-Pascal 
- Abstract
- Large-scale positive degree-day based melt parameterizations for the Greenland ice sheet are highly sensitive to their parameters (standard temperature deviation, snow and ice degree-day factors). In this paper, these parameters are simulated with a coupled atmosphere-snow regional climate model for southern Greenland during summer 1991, forced at the lateral boundaries with European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts re-analyses at a high horizontal resolution of 20 kin. The calculated (from net ablation, i.e. melt minus refreezing) snow and ice positive degree-day factors vary considerably over the ice sheet. At low elevations, the modelled snow degree-day factor closely approaches the generally accepted value of 3 mm w.e. d(-1) degreesC(-1). Higher up the ice sheet, large values up to 15 mm w.e. d(-1) degreesC(-1) are simulated. For ice melt, maximum values of 40 mm w.e. d(-1) degreesC(-1) are found. The snow and Ice positive degree-day factor distributions peak, respectively, at 3 and 8 mm w.e. d(-1) degreesC(-1). Refreezing is of small importance close to the ice-sheet margin. Higher up the ice sheet, refreezing considerably lowers the amount of net ablation. The monthly simulated 2 in air-temperature standard deviation exhibits a strong seasonal cycle, with the highest (3.0-5.0degreesC) values in May and June. July shows the lowest temperature fluctuations, due to the melting of the surface.
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Citations
Lefebre, F., Gallee, H., van Ypersele de Strihou, J.-P., & Huybrechts, P. (2002). Modelling of large-scale melt parameters with a regional climate model in south Greenland during the 1991 melt season. Annals of Glaciology, 35, 391-397. https://doi.org/10.3189/172756402781816889 (Original work published 2002)