Model:Alpine3D

Alpine3D

Metadata

Also known as
Model type	Modular
Model part of larger framework
Note on status model
Date note status model

Incorporated models or components:	SNOWPACK, meteoio,

Spatial dimensions	2D
Spatial extent	Regional-Scale, Landscape-Scale, Watershed-Scale, Reach-Scale
Model domain	Terrestrial, Cryosphere
One-line model description	3D model of alpine surface processes
Extended model description	Alpine3D is a model for high resolution simulation of alpine surface processes, in particular snow processes. The model can be forced by measurements from automatic weather stations or by meteorological model outputs (this is handled by the MeteoIO pre-processing library). The core three-dimensional Alpine3D modules consist of a radiation balance model (which uses a view factor approach and includes shortwave scattering and longwave emission from terrain and tall vegetation) and a drifting snow model solving a diffusion equation for suspended snow and a saltation transport equation. The processes in the atmosphere are thus treated in three dimensions and coupled to a distributed one dimensional model of vegetation, snow and soil model (Snowpack) using the assumption that lateral exchange is small in these media. The model can be used to force a distributed catchment hydrology model (AlpineFlow). The model modules can be run in a parallel mode, using either OpenMP and/or MPI. Finally, the Inishell tool provides a GUI for configuring and running Alpine3D. Alpine3D is a valuable tool to investigate surface dynamics in mountains and is currently used to investigate snow cover dynamics for avalanche warning and permafrost development and vegetation changes under climate change scenarios. It could also be used to create accurate soil moisture assessments for meteorological and flood forecasting.

Keywords:	alpine surface processes, snow dynamics,

Name	Mathias Bavay
Type of contact	Project manager
Institute / Organization	WSL/SLF
Postal address 1	Flüelastrasse 13
Postal address 2
Town / City	Davos Dorf
Postal code	7260
State
Country	Switzerland
Email address	bavay@slf.ch
Phone	0814170265
Fax

Name	Michael Lehning
Type of contact	Model developer
Institute / Organization
Postal address 1
Postal address 2
Town / City
Postal code
State
Country	Switzerland
Email address
Phone
Fax

Name	Nander Wever
Type of contact	Model developer
Institute / Organization
Postal address 1
Postal address 2
Town / City
Postal code
State
Country	United States
Email address
Phone
Fax

Name	Adrien Michel
Type of contact	Model developer
Institute / Organization
Postal address 1
Postal address 2
Town / City
Postal code
State
Country	Switzerland
Email address
Phone
Fax

Supported platforms	Unix, Linux, Mac OS
Other platform
Programming language	C++
Other program language
Code optimized	Multiple Processors
Multiple processors implemented	Distributed memory, Shared memory
Nr of distributed processors
Nr of shared processors
Start year development	2006
Does model development still take place?	Yes
If above answer is no, provide end year model development
Code development status	Active
When did you indicate the 'code development status'?	2024
Model availability	As code
Source code availability (Or provide future intension)	Through web repository
Source web address	https://alpine3d.slf.ch
Source csdms web address
Program license type	GPL v3
Program license type other
Memory requirements	several Gbits (depends on the surface that is simulated)
Typical run time	hours to days

Describe input parameters	The area to be simulated has to be described (DEM, landuse). The meteorological input data (air temperature, relative humidity, precipitations...) have to be described (units, interpolations types). Some parameters about the model itself must be given (precision of the radiation ray tracing algorithms, characteristic lengths, parameters for a bucket model of runoff...)
Input format	ASCII
Other input format
Describe output parameters	for every grid cell: air and surface temperature, relative humidity, short and long wave radiation, snow height, snow water content, albedo Global outputs: catchment discharge, surface and subsurface flow At user defined locations: full snow profiles (temperature profile, grain types, grain sizes, density, water content, liquid water content)
Output format	ASCII
Other output format	netCDF
Pre-processing software needed?	No
Describe pre-processing software
Post-processing software needed?	No
Describe post-processing software
Visualization software needed?	Yes
If above answer is yes
Other visualization software	any software able to visualize data in a 2D grid

Describe processes represented by the model	Alpine3D is a model for high resolution simulation of alpine surface processes, in particular snow processes. The model can be driven by measurements from automatic weather stations or by meteorological model outputs. The core three-dimensional Alpine3D modules consist of a radiation balance model (which uses a view factor approach and includes shortwave scattering and longwave emission from terrain and tall vegetation) and a drifting snow model solving a diffusion equation for suspended snow and a saltation transport equation. The processes in the atmosphere are thus treated in three dimensions and coupled to a distributed one dimensional model of vegetation, snow and soil model (Snowpack) using the assumption that lateral exchange is small in these media.
Describe key physical parameters and equations	Snow settling, temperature diffusion, snow saltation and suspension, snow metamorphism, terrain radiation.
Describe length scale and resolution constraints	The model has been used with cells from 5 meters up to kilometers scale.
Describe time scale and resolution constraints	The time scale constraints usually comes from the input meteorological data: each time step must be provided with a set of input data.
Describe any numerical limitations and issues	Overall, the model is very computationally intensive. It is usually ran on a grid or a cluster.

Describe available calibration data sets
Upload calibration data sets if available:
Describe available test data sets
Upload test data sets if available:
Describe ideal data for testing

Do you have current or future plans for collaborating with other researchers?	The underlying 1D model (SNOWPACK) is widely used by various collaborating researchers/institutions, both for research applications and for operational applications (avalanche warning services in multiple countries)

Is there a manual available?	Yes
Upload manual if available:
Model website if any	https://alpine3d.slf.ch
Model forum / discussion board

Comments

This part will be filled out by CSDMS staff

OpenMI compliant	No but possible
BMI compliant	No but possible
WMT component	No but possible
PyMT component
Is this a data component

Can be coupled with:

Model info

Authors

Mathias Bavay

Lehning, Wever, Michel

Source code

Go to external source code site

Model citations

Nr. of publications:	54
Total citations:	2547
h-index:	26
m-quotient:	1.3

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Alpine3D

Introduction

History

References

Nr. of publications:	54
Total citations:	2547
h-index:	26
m-quotient:	1.3

Featured publication(s)	Year	Model described	Type of Reference	Citations
Lehning, M.; Völksch, I.; Gustafsson, D.; Nguyen, T.A.; Stähli, M.; Zappa, M. 2006. ALPINE3D: a detailed model of mountain surface processes and its application to snow hydrology. HydroLogical Processes, 20, 2111–2128. 10.1002/hyp.6204 (View/edit entry)	2006	Alpine3D	Model overview	425
Schlögl, S.; Marty, C.; Bavay, M.; Lehning, M.; 2016. Sensitivity of Alpine3D modeled snow cover to modifications in DEM resolution, station coverage and meteorological input quantities. Environmental Modelling & Software, 83, 387–396. 10.1016/j.envsoft.2016.02.017 (View/edit entry)	2016	Alpine3D	Model overview	46
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Input Files

Output Files