Abstract. Geometric effects induced by the underlying terrain slope or by tilt errors of the radiation sensors lead to an erroneous measurement of snow or ice albedo. Consequently, artificial diurnal albedo variations in the order of 1-20 % are observed. The present paper proposes a general method to correct tilt errors of albedo measurements in cases where tilts of both the sensors and the slopes are not accurately measured or known. We demonstrate that atmospheric parameters for this correction model can either be taken from a nearby well-maintained and horizontally levelled measurement of global radiation or alternatively from a solar radiation model. In a next step the model is fitted to the measured data to determine tilts and directions of sensors and the underlying terrain slope. This then allows us to correct the measured albedo, the radiative balance and the energy balance. Depending on the direction of the slope and the sensors a comparison between measured and corrected albedo values reveals obvious over-or underestimations of albedo. It is also demonstrated that differences between measured and corrected albedo are generally highest for large solar zenith angles.
Abstract. The diurnal albedo variation of glaciers on clear sky days can be relatively high due to geometric effects induced by tilt errors. In the present paper, these tilt errors of albedo measurements are corrected in cases where tilts of both, the sensors and the slopes are not accurately measured. For this method of correction, a nearby reference measurement with a horizontally levelled sensor is needed to determine atmospheric parameters. Based on that a model is developed that is fitted to the measured data to determine tilts and directions of sensors and slopes, which vary daily due to changing atmospheric conditions and snow cover. Once these parameters are determined, the albedo, the radiative balance and the energy balance can be corrected. The differences between measured and corrected values show an obvious under- or overestimation of albedo, depending on the direction of the slope. It is also demonstrated that the difference between measured and corrected albedo is highest for high solar zenith angles.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.