Implementation and Evaluation of a Unified Turbulence Parameterization Throughout the Canopy and Roughness Sublayer in Noah-MP Snow Simulations

The largest improvements in skill for M-O-RSL occur over closed shrubland sites, and the largest degradations in skill occur over deciduous broadleaf forest sites. Differences between M-O and M-O-RSL simulated snowpack are primarily attributable to differences in aerodynamic conductance for heat underneath the canopy top, which modulates sensible heat flux. Differences between M-O and M-O-RSL within-canopy and below-canopy sensible heat fluxes affect the amount of heat transported into snowpack and hence change snowmelt when temperatures are close to or above the melting point.

The surface energy budget analysis over two AmeriFlux stations shows that differences between M-O and M-O-RSL simulations can be smaller than other model biases (e.g., surface albedo). We intend for the M-O-RSL physics scheme to improve performance and uncertainty estimates in weather and hydrological applications that rely on Noah-MP.