Snow cover conditions in the northern Hemisphere during the winter of 1981

Abstract

During the winter of 1981 the mean snow covered area in the Northern Hemisphere was less than any other year in the 15-year record (1966-1981) except 1970. For North America, the mean snow cover area was the lowest on record, and for Eurasia the mean snow cover area was the second lowest since records began in 1966. It has been observed that the average winter snow cover in both North America and Eurasia for both 1980 and 1981 decreased from that of the previous year, the first time this has been observed in the 15-year period of record. Assessment of any long term climatic tiends must wait extension of the snow cover data base.

Remote sensing in hydrology

“…As an example, the relatively high albedo of snow reflects a much higher percentage of incoming solar shortwave radiation than snow-free surfaces (80% for relatively new snow as opposed to roughly 15% for snow-free vegetation). Snow may cover up to 53% of the land surface in the northern hemisphere [23] and up to 44% of the worldÕs land areas at any one time. Snow cover and the equivalent amount of water volume stored supplies at least one-third of the water that is used for irrigation and the growth of crops worldwide [121].…”

Remote Sensing Research in Hydrometeorology

“…As an example, the relatively high albedo of snow reflects a much higher percentage of incoming solar shortwave radiation than snow-free surfaces (80 percent for relatively new snow as opposed to roughly 15 percent for snow-free vegetation). Snow may cover up to 53 percent of the land surface in the northern hemisphere (Foster and Rango, 1982) and up to 44 percent of the world's land areas at any one time. Snow cover and the equivalent amount of water volume stored supplies at least one-third of the water that is used for irrigation and the growth of crops worldwide (Steppuhn, 1981).…”

Reanalysis and New Measurements of N2 and CH4 Adsorption on Ice and Snow

“…Ice and snow are also present as a ground cover: more than half of the northern hemisphere land surfaces can be covered with snow (5,6). The snow cover can thus interact with the atmosphere by adsorbing trace gases very efficiently, because of the large surface area available in snow (7)(8)(9).…”