Early forecasts of snowmelt runoff using SNOTEL data in the Upper Rio Grande Basin

Submitted by Armida on Fri, 02/15/2013 - 11:57
TitleEarly forecasts of snowmelt runoff using SNOTEL data in the Upper Rio Grande Basin
Publication TypeConference Proceedings
Year of Conference2003
AuthorsDeWalle, D. R., Eismeier J. A., and Rango A.
Conference Name71st Annual Western Snow Conference
Series TitleProceedings of the 71st Annual Western Snow Conference
Date PublishedApril 2003
PublisherWestern Snow Conference
Conference LocationScottsdale, Arizona
KeywordsRunoff forecasting, SNOTEL, Rio Grande, early season forecasts
Abstract

Forecasts using SNOTEL data on November 1 and December 1 gave the best estimates of spring snowmelt runoff volumes almost as frequently as forecasts on March 1 and April 1 for the Upper Rio Grande basin in Colorado during 1983-2001. Forecasts for 2002, a record drought year, greatly overestimated flow volumes regardless of prediction month. Attempts at improving predictions using the El Nino/La Nina Southern Oscillation Index were not successful.
URLsites/westernsnowconference.org/PDFs/2003DeWalle.pdf