Surface energy balance of snow cover in the Japanese Alps is similar to that in continental Alpine climates

Abstract

The dynamics of a seasonal snow cover in the temperate cryosphere are critical for discussing climate change and understanding Earth systems. The most basic information is the previously unknown surface energy balance of snow and ice that can describe the snow dynamics in Japanese Alps. We show the surface energy balance properties of seasonal snow cover in the Northern Japanese Alps: one is the net radiation controlling the surface energy balance variation, and the negative latent heat flux (sublimation). We found that the surface energy balance property in this region is similar to that in the continental climate region due to the specific climate of Japan (winter monsoon) and topographic conditions (steep elevation gradient) of the Japanese Alps. This is a novel finding because Japanese seasonal snow cover is thought to accumulate and ablate under a maritime climate. It has been reported that the sensitivity of snow ablation to global warming depends on current atmospheric conditions. The results offer vital context for discussing environmental changes in the temperate cryosphere and environment of the Japanese Alpine region.