Vers un système d'information géographique du couvert nival en Estrie

Abstract

The objective of this research is to develop a system capable of simulating snow depth and snow water equivalent in the Sherbrooke to Mount-Megantic area of Quebec's Eastern Townships using meteorological and digital terrain data as input.The working hypothesis is that meteorological data may drive a point energy and mass balance snow cover model.The model used was developed by the Hydrologic Research Lab (National Weather Service) which was calibrated for local conditions using field data collected during two winters at several sites on Mount-Megantic. Snow water equivalent and depth are used for calibration and validation of the model. Automated snow sensors were also used to obtain temperature calibration data.The snow surveys and correction of the air temperature for elevation improves the estimates of snow depth and water equivalent.The results suggest that data from the Sherbrooke meteorological stations can be used to estimate the snow cover over the area of Eastern Townships. Air temperature extrapolation across the field area is a challenge. However the simulated snow cover conforms generally well with data observed at several stations throughout the region.