A direction toward improved streamflow forecasting in the western mountains

Conceptual hydrologic modes can be used to simulate basin snowpack and resulting streamflow. These models account for the detailed water balance of a basin and require accurate estimates of mean basin precipitation and temperature. The high spatial variability of precipitation in the mountains and the relatively sparse network of point measurements can lead to large uncertainties in modeling precipitation and current snowpack conditions. Improved estimates of snowpack conditions and their uncertainties will translate into more reliable streamflow forecasts. Other data, i.e., point and flight line water equivalent, areal extent of snow cover, and streamflow represent additional sources of important information that might be used to adjust model simulated conditions. This paper presents a framework for incorporating these data and an orographic precipitation model into a forecast system. It also presents a (etc).