Abstract
Solar irradiance is the most important factor which determines the thermal conditions of mountain glaciers. We use trigonometric formulae to calculate direct solar radiation incoming on any arbitrary oriented surface under the condition of absence of the atmosphere. Shading effect from the surrounding relief can also be evaluated rather precisely. Nevertheless, in order to obtain correct results, it is necessary to take into account atmospheric transmissivity, diffuse radiation, and influence of cloudiness. The paper presents a model for calculation of shortwave radiation, utilizing up-to-date data on the atmospheric composition and schemes for parameterization of the atmospheric transmissivity, which have never been implemented in glaciological applications before. Validation of the model was carried out using observational data on the global radiation on two weather stations established on Karabatkak glacier (Inner Tien Shan).
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