Coupling of an atmospheric prediction model with a distributed snow cover model and development of a visualization package

The presented research proposal is the necessary continuation and supplementation of the work processed by the applicant within the first year of the Erwin-Schrödinger grant at the Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF) in Davos. The principal goal of the project is to create improved possibilities to estimate the avalanche danger, aiming at a decrease in the substantial annual loss of life and property due to this natural phenomenon. The research is centered upon aspects of the numerical modeling of the state of the snow cover. The mutual coupling of some models, partly operationally used at the SLF, will be completed. These models are related to the development of the snow cover, snow drift and energy balance. From a local, single-station approach the major step is made to a distributed mode, focusing on calculations for and measurements of a test site near Davos, the Gaudergrat ridge. Employing the non-hydrostatic atmospheric model of the German Weather Service (the "Lokal-Modell", LM) in combination with adequate "downscaling" techniques, it is possible to derive boundary and initial conditions to operate the coupled snow modeling system not only in an analysis, but also in a forecast mode. The prototype downscaling procedures developed during the first part of the project are now improved and evaluated. The Java-based graphical user interface is improved and extended. Beside the point-wise and area visualization of the results delivered by the chain of models, it will also allow the start of the modeling system itself and the setting of some principal parameters controlling the runs.