This mountain data inter-comparison project will address challenges in harmonised cross-basin evaluation. It will convert existing modelling assets across four glacierised catchments in the Andes, Hindu Kush Himalaya, Canadian Rockies, and European Alps into curated and reusable data products for enhanced comparability, transparency, and usability of mountain hydrological information.
Physically based glacio-hydrological models are widely used across mountain regions to simulate snow accumulation, glacier melt, and runoff under present and future climate conditions. Yet meaningful comparison across basins remains challenging because modelling studies often differ in structure, forcing data, and evaluation strategies. In particular, the choice of meteorological forcing, especially between high-elevation in situ observations versus global reanalysis products, can alter simulated cryospheric and hydrological processes significantly. Despite frequent reliance on reanalysis forcing, harmonised cross-basin evaluation of its effects remains limited.
This project brings together four existing, consistently developed Cold Regions Hydrological Model (CRHM) applications in glacierized catchments in the Canadian Rockies (Peyto Glacier Research Basin), European Alps (Hintereisferner/Rofental), Andes (Quilcay Basin), and Hindu Kush Himalaya (Langshisha Basin). These basins, developed using comparable modelling frameworks, provide a rare opportunity to evaluate forcing-related model sensitivity across contrasting mountain environments without introducing confounding differences in model structure.
Key Activities & Outputs
The activities will include data assembly and quality control, implementation of standardised CRHM simulations, cross-basin diagnostic analysis, metadata development, and open repository deposition. All datasets and documentation will ensure discoverability and long-term accessibility. Planned outputs are:
- Curated forcing datasets for each basin, including harmonised in situ (or station-informed), raw ERA5/ERA5-Land, and bias-corrected reanalysis time series
- Harmonised model-output datasets from CRHM simulations under each forcing scenario. Outputs including snow metrics (SWE seasonal evolution, snow duration), glacier melt contributions, runoff timing, and performance statistics, structured to enable direct cross-basin comparison
- Documented, reproducible workflows describing reanalysis data extraction, bias correction procedures, model forcing configuration, and diagnostic calculations
- A synthesis manuscript or technical report summarising cross-basin findings on forcing-related model divergence, dominant seasonal sensitivities, and correction requirements for reanalysis‑driven simulations
Contact
Caroline Aubry-Wake, University of Lethbridge, caroline.aubrywake@uleth.ca
This project is supported by GEO Mountains under the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) to GEO Mountains under its Adaptation at Altitude Programme (project number 7F-10208.01.02) and by the Mountain Research Initiative (SCNAT project numbers FNW0009_004-2023-01 and FNW0015_004-2026-01).
Cover image by Maximilian Brand