Downscaled GCM projections of winter and summer mass balance for Central European glaciers (2000-2100) from ensemble simulations with ECHAM5-MPIOM

Author(s)
C. Springer, C. Matulla, W. Schöner, R. Steinacker
Abstract

This study is based on the study from Matulla et al. (2009) where the glacier under estimation has been Peyto Glacier in Canada. The same methods have been used for five Austrian glaciers; projections of glacier mass balance are generated from ensembles of general circulation model (GCM) simulations by the use of direct statistical downscaling. Thereby, the general features of the atmospheric circulation over an expanded geographical region covering the European Alps are linked empirically to winter and summer mass balance records measured at five glaciers in Austria. The projections are taken from an ensemble of ECHAM5-MPIOM simulations forced with the IPCC-SRES scenarios A1B and B1. Results based on the statistical downscaling indicate decreasing balances for both winter and summer. These results suggest continued frontal recession and downwasting of the alpine glaciers in this region until 2100. For Jamtalferner, these suggestions reach reductions of about 1000 mm water equivalent in summer.

Organisation(s)
Department of Meteorology and Geophysics, Department of Geography and Regional Research
External organisation(s)
ZAMG
Journal
International Journal of Climatology
Volume
33
Pages
1270-1279
No. of pages
10
ISSN
0899-8418
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.3511
Publication date
04-2013
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
105204 Climatology, 105205 Climate change, 105901 Glaciology, 105206 Meteorology
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 13 - Climate Action
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/7a6e1d9c-294c-4bb4-acda-8eef92292d93