The Tricky Water Energy Budget of Freezing Soil: A Thermodynamic Framework for Understanding Phase Changes
A single thermodynamic starting point for capillarity, solutes and adsorption in freezing ground.
Professional Summary
John Mohd Wani is an early career researcher focused on cryosphere, particularly snow and permafrost processes. This website hosts my work, blog, and updates. I apply and develop physically-based models GEOtop, GEOframe to bridge the gap between field observations and theoretical understanding, aiming to reduce uncertainty in water resource predictions for high-altitude regions.
Education
PhD Civil Engineering (Permafrost Focus)
IIT Roorkee, India
MTech Water Resources Engineering
NIT Hamirpur, India
BE Civil Engineering
University of Kashmir
Interests
High mountain processes
Permafrost Modeling
Snow Hydrology
Natural Hazards
Watershed Modeling
My Research
I am an early career researcher focused on cryosphere, particularly snow and permafrost processes. My research addresses the fundamental challenge of quantifying and predicting the response of the cryosphere (permafrost, snow) to climate change and its impact on water resources and natural hazards. I apply and develop physically-based models GEOtop, GEOframe to bridge the gap between field observations and theoretical understanding, aiming to reduce uncertainty in water resource predictions for high-altitude regions.
Supervision & Opportunities
I am actively looking for motivated Master’s students and potential PhD candidates interested in:
- Modelling of snow and permafrost.
- Physically-based hydrological modeling.
- Multi-Modal Comparison of Snow Dynamics in the Nordic Region. (Open Call)
- Many more…
If you are interested in writing your thesis on these topics, please reach out!
Featured Publications
An integrated computational framework for high-dimensional parameter optimization in coupled hydro-thermal permafrost modelling
A novel GEOtop-MATLAB framework for automated calibration and sensitivity analysis of coupled hydro-thermal permafrost models, applied to three boreholes near Hornsund, Svalbard.
Abhishek Bamby Alphonse
Three decades of snow water equivalent dynamics in the Po River Basin, Italy: Trends and Implications
Abstract Seasonal snowpack is a key component of the mountain cryosphere, acting as a vital natural reservoir that regulates runoff downstream in snowfed basins. In mid- and …
30-years (1991-2021) Snow Water Equivalent Dataset in the Po River District, Italy
Abstract This paper presents a long-term snow water equivalent dataset in the Po River District, Italy, spanning from 1991 to 2021 at daily time step and 500 m spatial resolution …
Matteo Dall’Amico
Hanging glacier avalanche (Raunthigad–Rishiganga) and debris flow disaster on 7 February 2021, Uttarakhand, India: a preliminary assessment
Abstract A catastrophic debris flow in the Rishiganga and Dhauliganga rivers in Uttarakhand, India, on 7 February 2021 left a trail of disaster. Around 100–150 people lost their …
Renoj J. Thayyen
The surface energy balance in a cold and arid permafrost environment, Ladakh, Himalayas, India
Abstract Recent studies have shown the cold and arid trans-Himalayan region comprises significant areas underlain by permafrost. While the information on the permafrost …
Single-year thermal regime and inferred permafrost occurrence in the upper Ganglass catchment of the cold-arid Himalaya, Ladakh, India
Abstract Cold-arid regions of the trans-Himalaya in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is suspected to have a significant area of permafrost. However, information on the ground …
Recent Publications
(2026).
The Tricky Water Energy Budget of Freezing Soil: A Thermodynamic Framework for Understanding Phase Changes.
Geotech. Geol. Eng. (in press).
(2026).
An integrated computational framework for high-dimensional parameter optimization in coupled hydro-thermal permafrost modelling.
Cold Regions Science and Technology.
(2025).
Three decades of snow water equivalent dynamics in the Po River Basin, Italy: Trends and Implications.
EGUsphere.
(2025).
30-years (1991-2021) Snow Water Equivalent Dataset in the Po River District, Italy.
Sci. Data.
(2023).
Permafrost estimation model in Upper Indus Basin.
J. Earth Syst. Sci.
Recent & Upcoming Talks
Introducing GEOtop and GEOframe: Open Source Tools for Modeling Snow Dominated Catchments
A short course on setting up physically-based snow models in mountain catchments.
Impact of forest disturbances on snow dynamics
Presented findings on how forest changes impact snow dynamics.
Three decades of snow water equivalent dynamics in the Po River Basin
Comprehensive analysis of 30-year SWE data in the Po River Basin.
Recent News
Why Soil Water Does Not Freeze at Zero
A single thermodynamic starting point for capillarity, solutes and adsorption in freezing ground
Permafrost Modelling in the Himalaya: Three Days at ICIMOD
Reflections from a three-day hands-on workshop on energy balance modelling of permafrost environments, held at ICIMOD in Kathmandu. All course material is open-access.
Getting Started with GEOtop: A Short Course at EGU 2026
We are offering a hands-on short course on GEOtop and GEOframe at EGU 2026 in Vienna. Here's what to expect and how to prepare.
Master’s Thesis Opportunity: Modelling Snow Dynamics in the Nordic Region
We are looking for a motivated Master's student to join a cutting-edge project on snowpack dynamics in the Arctic. Includes a potential paid visit to Finland.
Alps are Losing Snow
A 30-year analysis reveals profound snow loss in the Po River Basin.