Exploring the Physics of Two Thermodynamic Lake Ice Models

Abstract Thermodynamic lake ice models are valuable tools in the simulation of ice formation, growth, and decay. Appropriate application of these models necessitates a thorough understanding of model physics. Here, we examine the physics of two thermodynamic lake ice models, the Canadian Lake Ice Mo...

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Main Authors: Arash Rafat, Bin Cheng, Homa Kheyrollah Pour
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-05-01
Series:Water Resources Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2024WR038615
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author Arash Rafat
Bin Cheng
Homa Kheyrollah Pour
author_facet Arash Rafat
Bin Cheng
Homa Kheyrollah Pour
author_sort Arash Rafat
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Thermodynamic lake ice models are valuable tools in the simulation of ice formation, growth, and decay. Appropriate application of these models necessitates a thorough understanding of model physics. Here, we examine the physics of two thermodynamic lake ice models, the Canadian Lake Ice Model (CLIMo) and the High‐Resolution Snow and Ice Model (HIGHTSI), for understanding key drivers and limitations in modeling of ice evolution. A cold bias in modeled surface temperatures was found to control differences in ice evolution through differences in the magnitudes of radiative and turbulent fluxes. Simplified snow physics and precipitation forcings were found to control the simulation of snow‐ice through controlling freeboard. Break‐up dates were highly sensitive to the selected melt albedo scheme. Freeze‐up dates were controlled by model specific calibration or initialization procedures. Recommendations for advancements to current model processes are presented for future developments to thermodynamic ice models.
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publishDate 2025-05-01
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series Water Resources Research
spelling doaj-art-effa95fe128541bbb8ecdcf14eff9f472025-08-20T03:30:56ZengWileyWater Resources Research0043-13971944-79732025-05-01615n/an/a10.1029/2024WR038615Exploring the Physics of Two Thermodynamic Lake Ice ModelsArash Rafat0Bin Cheng1Homa Kheyrollah Pour2Remote Sensing of Environmental Change (ReSEC) Research Group Department of Geography and Environmental Studies Wilfrid Laurier University Waterloo ON CanadaFinnish Meteorological Institute Helsinki FinlandRemote Sensing of Environmental Change (ReSEC) Research Group Department of Geography and Environmental Studies Wilfrid Laurier University Waterloo ON CanadaAbstract Thermodynamic lake ice models are valuable tools in the simulation of ice formation, growth, and decay. Appropriate application of these models necessitates a thorough understanding of model physics. Here, we examine the physics of two thermodynamic lake ice models, the Canadian Lake Ice Model (CLIMo) and the High‐Resolution Snow and Ice Model (HIGHTSI), for understanding key drivers and limitations in modeling of ice evolution. A cold bias in modeled surface temperatures was found to control differences in ice evolution through differences in the magnitudes of radiative and turbulent fluxes. Simplified snow physics and precipitation forcings were found to control the simulation of snow‐ice through controlling freeboard. Break‐up dates were highly sensitive to the selected melt albedo scheme. Freeze‐up dates were controlled by model specific calibration or initialization procedures. Recommendations for advancements to current model processes are presented for future developments to thermodynamic ice models.https://doi.org/10.1029/2024WR038615lake icesnow processesice formationice break‐upmodeling
spellingShingle Arash Rafat
Bin Cheng
Homa Kheyrollah Pour
Exploring the Physics of Two Thermodynamic Lake Ice Models
Water Resources Research
lake ice
snow processes
ice formation
ice break‐up
modeling
title Exploring the Physics of Two Thermodynamic Lake Ice Models
title_full Exploring the Physics of Two Thermodynamic Lake Ice Models
title_fullStr Exploring the Physics of Two Thermodynamic Lake Ice Models
title_full_unstemmed Exploring the Physics of Two Thermodynamic Lake Ice Models
title_short Exploring the Physics of Two Thermodynamic Lake Ice Models
title_sort exploring the physics of two thermodynamic lake ice models
topic lake ice
snow processes
ice formation
ice break‐up
modeling
url https://doi.org/10.1029/2024WR038615
work_keys_str_mv AT arashrafat exploringthephysicsoftwothermodynamiclakeicemodels
AT bincheng exploringthephysicsoftwothermodynamiclakeicemodels
AT homakheyrollahpour exploringthephysicsoftwothermodynamiclakeicemodels