Earth’s Cryosphere, 2010, No. 2, p. 87-97

SIMULATION OF SNOWCOVER AND PERMAFROST IN RUSSIA

E.D. Nadyozhina, T.V. Pavlova, I.M. Shkolnik, E.K. Molkentin, A.A. Semioshina

Voeikov Main Geophysical Observatory, 194021, St. Petersburg, Karbyshev str., 7, Russia, rsb@main.mgo.rssi.ru

A numerical algorythm of permafrost model has been improved taking into account the explicit description of seasonal snow cover density. The scheme is developed by coupling the permafrost model with the Voeikov Main Geophysical Observatory regional model. The sensitivity of soil thermal conditions to the modifications has been analyzed. The simulated snow cover properties have been compared with the available observations. The probable changes of permafrost characteristics in 21st century have been evaluated and compared with the earlier assessments in order to reveal differences due to improvements.

Key words: Permafrost, models, climate, evolution, snow cover.

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