Surface albedo measurements at 53°N latitude

Abstract

Albedo is a fundamental parameter in the energy budget equations used to estimate environmental quantities affected by solar radiation. Air pollution models require surface albedo values as an input to determine the magnitude of photochemical reaction rate constants. Eight years of albedo measurements in a northern, continental climate yield average monthly surface albedo values ranging from 0.17 in summer to 0.69 in winter. The pattern of variation throughout the day over a snow surface differs from that over a grass surface. Surface albedo makes a major contribution to the photochemical rate constants in the snow-covered winter months.