Measurements of Diurnal Variations in Snow Albedo on Lemon Creek Glacier, Alaska

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Abstract
Two Eppley pyrheliometers were used to measure incoming and reflected sun and sky radiation over a saturated, melting snowpack. Albedo values computed from these measurements varied strongly, not only with snow surface conditions, but also diurnally with the angle of the sun, and from clear to cloudy skies. On clear days minimum albedo in the afternoon was approximately 35 per cent less than the maximum in early morning; a secondary maximum occurred at sunset. Also, midday albedos were higher under cloudy skies than under clear skies. These variations appear to relate primarily to changes in angle of incident radiation, and secondarily to changes in the physical structure of the snow surface. Spectral changes in incident radiation are also a possible factor.