Snow and ice in the hydrosphere

Abstract

In large areas of the world, runoff and other hydrological variables are controlled by the spatial and temporal variation of the 0 °C isotherm, which is central for the temporal storage of precipitation as snow or ice. This storage is of crucial importance for the seasonal distribution of snow and ice melt, a major component of the movement of water in the global water cycle. This chapter provides an introduction to the role of snow and ice in the hydrosphere by discussing topics including snowpack characteristics, snow observation approaches, the energy balance of snow-covered areas, and modeling of snowmelt. Furthermore, the role of glaciers and glacial mass balances, including modeling glacier discharge, is discussed. An overview of the hydrology of snow- and ice-covered catchments is given, and the influence of snow, glaciers, river ice, seasonally frozen soils, and permafrost on discharge is discussed. Finally, the impacts of climate change on snow and ice are discussed.