Computation of Snowmelt at a High Arctic Site

Abstract

<p>In 1977, snowmelt was studied at a site near Resolute Bay, N.W.T., with additional data obtained in 1978. Using measured net radiation and computed fluxed of sensible and latent heat, the surface energy balance over snow was calculated. Field measurements of snow ablation compared fabourably with the computed values, indicating that the energy balance approach is adequate for the computation of snowmelt at a High Arctic site.</p> <p>The surface energy balance was also extended to a number of slopes using data from the horizontal site. On individual clear or partly cloudy days, the difference in the surface energy balance between slopes was small and on overcast days, such differences were further minimized. Over the entire study period, computations show that there was little difference in the amount of energy received by various slopes up to 10°.</p>