The Cryosphere Discussions
www.the-cryosphere-discuss.net
1994-0432
1994-0440
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1
2007
10.5194/tcd-1-17-2007
http://www.the-cryosphere-discuss.net/1/17/2007/
http://www.the-cryosphere-discuss.net/1/17/2007/tcd-1-17-2007.html
http://www.the-cryosphere-discuss.net/1/17/2007/tcd-1-17-2007.pdf
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2007-06-18
Glacier annual balance measurement, prediction, forecasting and climate correlations, North Cascades, Washington 1984–2006
M. S. Pelto
mspelto@nichols.edu
Nichols College Dudley, MA 01571, USA
North Cascade glacier annual balance measured on 10 glaciers from 1984–2006
yielded mean annual balance (ba) of –0.54 m/a, and –12.38 m cumulatively.
This is a significant loss for glaciers that average 30–60 m in thickness,
representing 20–40% of their entire volume. Two observed glaciers, Lewis
Glacier and Spider Glacier, no longer exist.
<br><br>
The ba of North Cascade glaciers is reliably calculated based on 1 April
snowpack water equivalent and ablation season temperature. 1 May forecasting
of ba using the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and the Multivariate El Nino
Southern Oscillation circulation indices correctly determined the sign of
mass balance in 42 of 47 years. Glacier annual balance forecasting is an
important step for summer water resource management in glacier runoff
dominated stream systems. The forecast for North Cascade glaciers in 2007 is
for a negative annual balance.
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