Comparative energy balance study for arctic tundra, sea surface glaciers and boreal forests

Seasonal change in the energy balance on the arctic tundra is presented. The thermal stability of a dry snow cover is investigated in detail. In addition to high reflection by the snow cover, a significant absorption of solar radiation on the very surface of the snow cover was found responsible for the thermal stability. The efficient absorption of solar radiation by the surface rather than the interior of the snow cover and the almost immediate removal of the absorbed energy through radiative emission and turbulent heat fluxes keep the temperature of the snow cover low.The energy balances for the melt and postmelt period for various arctic surfaces are compared. The most important difference of the energy balance between the tundra and tther low attitude arctic surface, such as the sea and ablation areas of glaciers, is not the net radiation but the latent heat of fusion. Extremely small heat cosuumption through the melt on the tundra is the basis for higher temperature, characteristics to the tundra climate in the Arctic.