Effects of snow cover on urban light climate environment in the high latitudes of northeast China

Abstract

Light climate environment (LCE) has a significant impact on human health, behavioral characteristics, and the safety of life and property due to the high albedo of snow on the ground cover type, which in turn affects the regional climate and socio-economic development, but less relevant studies have been found. In this study, the effect of snow on daytime and nighttime light levels was quantified using comparative field observations and controlled experiments in artificial climate chambers, combined with analysis of variance and model fitting. The results of the study found that there was a significant difference between the presence and absence of snow on both daytime and nighttime light levels. During daytime, the ambient light level on the ground with snow is 5.68 times higher than without snow, an improvement of 12,711.06 Lux. At night, with moonlight, the nighttime illuminance with and without snow is 0.213 Lux and 0.01 Lux, respectively. When there is no moonlight, the snow has no significant effect on the light level. In addition, significant differences in LCE intensity with different snow depths, snow densities and black carbon (BC) pollution. At the same background light intensity, the LCE intensity varies significantly with increasing snow depth, snow density and BC pollution. The results reveals the quantitative impact of snow on LCE, providing scientific support for regional natural light energy use, human health and safety, urban environmental management and economic development.