A simple station-based empirical model for local snow conditions

This report describes a simple empirical model for estimating monthly change in mean snow depths with monthly average temperature (TAM) and monthly precipitation sum as input variables. The model is developed and tested on weather and precipitation stations in mainland Norway and in the Norwegian Arctic. For precipitation stations TAM is derived from daily temperature maps and standardised regional temperature series. The snow model is well adapted to stations with a stable winter snow cover, but is less adapted to maritime stations in Southern Norway and stations in the Arctic. For stations with an adequate fit, the model can be used to project future snow conditions if monthly temperature and precipitation scenarios exist.