| In Quebec with changes in the amount, duration and properties of snow having widespread influences e.g. avalanche risk, snow loads, ground thermal regimes, ski industry, agriculture, hydro-power production, fresh water supply, wildlife habitat. Snow cover is considered to be an effective climate integrator and a useful component to monitor since it responds to both temperature and precipitation.;The simulations reveal a significant deficit of the annual average and maximum in SWE and an early melting process. The permanent coverage is significantly reduced in a future climate while propagation and depletion of snow in the area both increase in time. The interannual variability of the times of maximum SWE, snowmelt initiation and disappearance of the snow cover also increases. The spatial disparities seem to be more significant, especially for the dynamics of snow accumulation. Tracking changes in the duration of the permanent cover in April is proposed for monitoring climate change at the watershed scale. Using a more accurate model is also suggested to detect regions with higher sensitivity to climate change, in relation with the vegetation characteristics of the area.;Keywords: snow, hydrologic model, climate change, indicator, snow cover, snow water equivalent;The hydrological regime, including snow accumulation and ablation were simulated on the Gatineau watershed using the hydrological model Hydrotel. Meteorological data extracted from the Canadian Regional Climate Model (CRCM) allowed an assessment to be made of the watershed snow regime between 1961 and 2099. Several spatial and temporal metrics were developed in order to study the Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) accumulation and depletion characteristics and geographical coverage patterns. |
