Computer simulation of glacier mass balance throughout an ablation season

A computer program is described wich simulates changes in snow water equivalent or glacier mass balance over a gridded topography throughout an ablation season. Initial conditions of snow accumulation are specified by a method suggested by G. J. Young. Heat and water budgets are estimated from meteorological data (measured or hyothetical) to predict ablation on a daily basis. By careful programming it is attempted to minimize computer time while maintaining reliability for a large number of grid points. A test of the model for a 6 by 9 km area on Baffin Island is found to give adequate agreement with observations. While further tests are necessary to validate the model, it is felt likely to be suitable for a number of applications in snow hydrology and glaciology.