Synoptic drivers of Canadian Cordilleran Icefield Snowpack Response: Columbia Icefield and Brintnell Glacier

这项拟议中的研究旨在确定预计的冬季变暖是否会导致两个主要的科迪勒拉冰原的积雪增加：国家公园碧玉的哥伦比亚冰原和最近扩建的纳汉尼国家公园保护区内最大的冰原--布林特内尔冰川。增加雪滞留的假设机制是增强雪结皮的形成。这可能会导致冰雪流失率下降，这与在较小的出口冰川上观察到的趋势相反。该提案要求提供资金，以资助几名研究生，提供研究津贴以及旅费和实地支助，以开展解决这一问题所需的研究工作和培训。已向NSERC RTI计划提出单独请求，以获得购买研究设备的资金。所需的设备包括两个10米高的塔，每个位置一个，配备了旨在每天多次记录有关大气和积雪状况的数据的仪器。这项工作还将利用对天气图的分析，以便根据广泛的大气条件解释观测到的积雪响应。这将包括地壳形成的时间，以及在某些时候雪是否更难被风吹走。一个特别的重点将围绕“大气河流”，在此期间，温暖，潮湿的空气从更远的南方移动超过科迪勒拉。这项工作是新颖的，部分原因是这种类型的详细天气联系工作还没有在冬季的冰原上进行。

The proposed research seeks to determine whether projected winter warming can result in an increase in snow retention on two major Cordilleran icefields: Columbia Icefield in Jasper National Park, and Brintnell Glacier, the largest icefield within the recently expanded Nahanni National Park Reserve. The hypothesized mechanism for increasing snow retention is enhanced formation of snow crusts. This could result in a decrease in the rate of loss of snow and ice, which is contrary to trends being observed on smaller outlet glaciers. This proposal requests funds to support several graduate students with research stipends and with travel and field support to conduct research work and training necessary to address this question. A separate request to the NSERC RTI program has been made to obtain funds to purchase research equipment. The required equipment consists of two 10m towers, one for each location, outfitted with instrumentation designed to record data concerning atmospheric and snowpack conditions many times each day. This work will also utilize analyses of weather charts such that observed snowpack response is explained in terms of broad atmospheric conditions. This would include timing of crust formation and whether snow is more difficult to remove by wind at certain times. A particular emphasis will center around "atmospheric rivers", during which warm, moist air from farther south moves over the Cordillera. This work is novel in part because this type of detailed weather linkage work has not been performed on the icefields in the winter.