Snowmelt Models and Methods of Snowmelt Modeling

A conclusion of studies which conducted in Iran in the field of snow, snowmelt models and snow modeling that reported in scientific journals, as well as domestic and foreign conference papers has been presented in this study. This review paper is necessary and crucial to avoid duplication studies and to acquire comprehensive vision and familiarity with the research which conducted in this field. In addition, managers and planners by using the information and results of this research can be more firmly into the decisionmaking, planning and policy projects and plans on the implementation of their action. The results showed rapid advances in snowmelt-runoff modeling due to the climate change issues and researcher’s interest to simulate the world climatic and snow hydrology changes. There are a variety of models and methods in the field of snow modeling. Identifying the appropriate models and tools to easily simulate snowmelts need a comprehensive study and analysis in this regard. So, the present research has been formulated to investigate the literature of snow, snow models and the conditions of models application including topography, land use, land cover and data spatial and temporal scales by using the resources and documentation available to the country of Iran. The present research was conducted based on articles which published in magazines, conferences, various internet sources, models instructions and reports of different projects. Thorough literature review various models of urban snowmelt models to hydrological models adapted to specific purposes was observed. The results showed that in general the calculation of snowmelt are summarized in the three major temperature index (degree-days), energy balance and combination of temperature index and energy balance (combined method). Overall, in accordance with the conditions and objectives of the study one method and its application can be taken to comprehensive evaluation of snow researches.