What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the impact of cloud microphysics parameterizations and lateral boundary condition choices on hydrometeorological forcings and simulated snow conditions in mountainous terrain.

November 28, 2025Water Resources ResearchOpen Access

Impact of Cloud Microphysics Schemes and Boundary Conditions on Modeled Snowpack in the Central Idaho Rocky Mountains, USA

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To evaluate the impact of cloud microphysics parameterizations and lateral boundary condition choices on hydrometeorological forcings and simulated snow conditions in mountainous terrain.
Conducted eight Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model experiments at a 4-km convection-permitting scale in the Central Idaho Rocky Mountains.
Tested combinations of two lateral boundary condition datasets (ERA5 and CFSRv2) across four cloud microphysics parameterization schemes.
Evaluated model outputs against ground-based Snow Telemetry (SNOTEL) station records and satellite-derived MODIS snow disappearance dates.
Relative biases in accumulated precipitation across model configurations ranged from −18.15% to +15.48% compared to SNOTEL observations.
Snowpack simulations showed relative biases ranging from −39.84% to 10.72% for snow water equivalent and −37.72% to 0.32% for snow depth compared to SNOTEL stations.
All experimental runs consistently overestimated snow cover fraction and snow persistence beyond the snow disappearance dates recorded by MODIS at higher elevations.

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Implication

Simulation study reveals substantial variability in mountain precipitation and snowpack estimates across weather model configurations, highlighting the need for calibrated physical parameterizations.

Cite This Study

Rudisill et al. (2025) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69402fe22d562116f29050d7 https://doi.org/10.1029/2025wr040710

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Implication

Simulation study reveals substantial variability in mountain precipitation and snowpack estimates across weather model configurations, highlighting the need for calibrated physical parameterizations.

Impact of Cloud Microphysics Schemes and Boundary Conditions on Modeled Snowpack in the Central Idaho Rocky Mountains, USA

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Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Impact of Cloud Microphysics Schemes and Boundary Conditions on Modeled Snowpack in the Central Idaho Rocky Mountains, USA

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

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