Monitoring Annual and Inter Annual Snow Cover Fluctuations in the Summit Areas of Kfardebiane and Afqa - Snow Flow III

Description :

In this context, the development of an early warning system is urgently needed. By linking snow cover and snowpack dynamics to hydrological processes, particularly groundwater recharge and spring discharge, and by enabling the prediction of water availability several months in advance, such a system would support proactive decision-making. Real-time data collection, monitoring, and analysis would enhance the capacity of water managers and decision-makers to anticipate seasonal and inter-annual variability, optimise resource allocation, and mitigate the risks of water scarcity. This approach is aligned with the growing need to integrate climate-sensitive data into adaptive and sustainable water resource management frameworks. Since 2012, the Mount Lebanon – Oyoun Simane pilot zone has benefited from the development of a monitoring infrastructure led by the University of Saint Joseph (USJ), aimed at characterizing snowpack variability and its hydrological implications. The area was selected based on its hydrogeological importance and the feasibility of deploying and maintaining monitoring systems. The existing framework combines satellite and UAV observations, Automatic Weather Stations (AWS), and in-situ measurements of spring discharge. Building on this established collaboration, UNICEF Lebanon proposes to support the extension of snowpack and hydrological monitoring during the 2026 winter season, with the objective of ensuring data continuity, reducing uncertainty, and advancing from research-oriented monitoring toward an operational early warning capability.

Titulaire :
ALLAM Antoine

Contact USJ :
antoine.allam1@usj.edu.lb

Chercheur(s) :
Dr CHARBEL ABOU CHACRA
Mlle Jeanine-Marie SOMMA

Projet présenté au CR, le : 16/03/2026

Projet achevé auprès du CR : 31/12/2026