WFJ_CAL: Calibration dataset for snow models

During the development of DAISY, the snowpack model we realised that we did not have enough accurate calibration measurements. We needed more reliable measurements of snow temperatures and settlements within the snow cover.

Therefore, from winter 1990/91 the thermal development of the season snow cover in the test field with self-developed temperature harps was measured. These temperature harps can move freely with the snow cover, in contrast to the usually fixed temperature profiles.

With these harps, it became possible to monitor the temperatures and settlements of the individual layers throughout the winter.

Additionally, the surface temperature, snow level and the usual meteorological parameters such as air temperature, humidity, wind speed and the radiation in various wavelength ranges were measured.

Furthermore, conventional snow profiles were recorded with measurements of densities, hardness, grain sizes and grain shapes.

During three winters, this facility was intensively used for monitoring purposes. The support and monitoring of these measurements and the accompanying, very time-intensive manual measurements were carried out by Peter Weilenmann and Franz Herzog.

The results of these measurements in winter 1990/91, 1991/92 and 1992/93 are given in the internal report No. 723.

The use of these measurements for the validation of DAISY and MiniDAISY are gathered internally in report No. 724..726.

• Funding information not available.