FROSTBYTE: a reproducible data-driven workflow for probabilistic seasonal streamflow forecasting in snow-fed river basins across North America

Seasonal streamflow forecasts provide key information for decision-making in fields such as water supply management, hydropower generation, and irrigation scheduling. The predictability of streamflow on seasonal timescales relies heavily on initial hydrological conditions, such as the presence of snow and the availability of soil moisture. In high-latitude and high-altitude headwater basins in North America, snowmelt serves as the primary source of runoff generation. This study presents and evaluates a data-driven workflow for probabilistic seasonal streamflow forecasting in snow-fed river basins across North America (Canada and the USA). The workflow employs snow water equivalent (SWE) measurements as predictors and streamflow observations as predictands. Gap-filling of SWE datasets is accomplished using quantile mapping from neighboring SWE and precipitation stations, and principal component analysis is used to identify independent predictor components. These components are then utilized in a regression model to generate ensemble hindcasts of streamflow volumes for 75 nival basins with limited regulation from 1979 to 2021, encompassing diverse geographies and climates. Using a hindcast evaluation approach that is user-oriented provides key insights for snow-monitoring experts, forecasters, decision-makers, and workflow developers. The analysis presented here unveils a wide spectrum of predictability and offers a glimpse into potential future changes in predictability. Late-season snowpack emerges as a key factor in predicting spring and summer volumes, while high precipitation during the target period presents challenges to forecast skill and streamflow predictability. Notably, we can predict lower-than-normal and higher-than-normal streamflows during spring to early summer with lead times of up to 5 months in some basins. Our workflow is available on GitHub as a collection of Jupyter Notebooks, facilitating broader applications in cold regions and contributing to the ongoing advancement of methodologies.

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Field Value
Short Name of Publication FROSTBYTE: a reproducible data-driven workflow for probabilistic seasonal streamflow forecasting
Deliverable Type Journal Article
Program Catagory Water
Program Type Provincial
Author Arnal, L., M.P. Clark, A. Pietroniro, V. Vionnet, D.R. Casson, P.H. Whitfield., V. Fortin, A.W. Wood, W.J. M. Knoben, B.W. Newton and C. Walford
Periodical Title Hydrology and Earth System Sciences
Year of Publication 2024
Publishing Organization
Month of Publication September
Periodical Volumes 28
Page Range
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-4127-2024
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