Implications of observation-enhanced energy-balance snowmelt simulations for runoff modeling of Alpine catchments

Snow is an important component of the water balance of many mountain watersheds worldwide. In a warming climate, snowmelt modeling and consequent soil water input, is often challenged by complex conditions such as rain-on-snow situations. This is why detailed physics-based snow models are increasingly being used. These models however have much higher input data requirements, where in many cases accurate forcing fields are very difficult to provide.