Prediction of net radiation on snow surface and surface snowmelt rates at an open site and a forest site

Abstract

Net radiation is a major component of a heat balance on surface snowmelts. A prediction model of net radiation above a snow cover in an open and a forested site is developed. The components of net radiation which are albedo on a snow surface, atmospheric long-wave radiation and long-wave radiation emitted from the snow are separately predicted. The meteorological elements used in the model are solar radiation, temperature, humidity, amount of precipitation and the duration of sunshine. The observed albedo, atmospheric long-wave radiation at the open site and net radiation are represented by the calculated values. The snowmelt rates estimated by a heat balance method with the estimated net radiation predict the observed values.