Short Note: Preliminary Observations on the Daily Variation of Ice Albedo

Abstract

AbstractA preliminary assessment of the daily variation of ice albedo in the 285-2 800 nm range was made using field data collected over snow ice and refrozen slush. Significant diurnal variations could be attributed to changing low solar altitude under clear skies or to decay of the ice surface. Changes in albedo due to changes in cloud cover were observed for the most part to be slight. The measurements provide a base for a program of wider scope which would consider other types of ice under a variety of natural conditions.