Influence of aerosol radiative effects on surface temperature and snow melt in the Himalayan region

Abstract

Recent increases in surface temperature and snow melt acceleration in the Himalayan region are influenced by many factors. Here we investigate the influence of absorbing aerosols, including black carbon and dust, on surface temperature and snow melt in western, central, and eastern parts of the India-Nepal Himalayan region (INHR). We compare 40-y simulations (1971–2010) one with all evolving forcing agents representative of a present-day aerosol scenario, compared to a low aerosol forcing scenario. The difference between these scenarios shows a significant increase in surface air temperature, with higher warming in parts of Western and Central Himalaya (~0.2–2 °C) in the months of April and May. Higher absorbing aerosol (BC and dust abundance) both at the surface and in the atmospheric column, in the present-day aerosol simulations, led to increases in atmospheric radiative forcing and surface shortwave heating rate forcing (SWHRF), compared to the low aerosol forcing case. Therefore, the absorbing aerosols cause anomalous atmospheric heat energy transfer to land due to high surface SWHRF and changes in surface energy flux, leading to snow melt. The present model version did not parameterize snow albedo feedback, which would increase the magnitudes of the changes simulated here.