Alaska Land Information System (LIS-AK) Applications for Snow and Hydrology

The NASA SPoRT Center maintains a near-real-time instance of the Land Information System (LIS) for Alaska, the LIS-AK. The LIS-AK consists of the Noah land surface model, forced by the Global Data Assimilation (GDAS) forcing data. A daily Green Vegetation Fraction (GVF) update is also incorporated, taken from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument. LIS-AK output includes soil moisture and temperature in four layers, as well as snow depth and snow water equivalent (SWE).

This is SPoRT’s first instance of LIS with an emphasis on snow products. Results from validation of LIS snow products will be presented, compared against in situ probes from the Snow Telemetry (SNOTEL) network. LIS accurately models the timing and magnitude of snow (depth and SWE) for most locations, with notable exceptions at some coastal stations. In addition to the listed model state variables, we are also producing snowmelt and runoff. LIS-AK output is being delivered to end users at the Alaska Fire Service, the Alaska-Pacific River Forecast Center, the three Weather Forecast Offices in Alaska, and the NASA Disasters Program. The LIS-AK output is used for analyzing fire risk and for case studies involving snow melt, flooding, and debris flows. Potential future improvements to LIS-AK will also be discussed.