Revisiting winter arctic ice mass balance observations with a 1‐D model: sensitivity studies, snow density estimation, flooding and snow ice formation

Plain Language Summary A state-of-the-art snow and ice model (the model LIM1D) was used to simulate observations collected in winter 2015 north of Svalbard. The model estimated sea ice bulk salinity and brine fraction, which cannot be measured continuously. Combining observations and 1-D modeling allowed adjustments of the snow density (and conductivity) profiles, which have a critical impact on the simulation. Key Points We revisited winter ice mass balance observations, using 1-D simulations of snow and ice temperature profiles We combined observations and 1-D modelling to adjust the snow density profiles, which are crucial for simulating sea ice evolution The simulations provided accurate temperature profiles and an estimation of ice salinity and brine fraction evolution during flooding