Empirical relationship between dust content and Arctic snow albedo

To provide empirical equations that quantify the effects of dust upon snow albedo and the radiation balance in a High Arctic environment, research was carried out at two sites, one within and the other outside the settlement of Resolute. At the settlement, the amount of dust on the snow was several orders of magnitude larger than outside Resolute. The main sources were the unpaved runway and roads. The dust reduced snow surface albedo, resulting in considerable net radiation input to the snowpack. Empirical relationships can be easily obtained to predict the effects of dust on snow albedo and hence the net radiation. It is suggested that during the snowmelt period, radiation data from the government station may not be representative because it is affected by the dusty conditions of the town.