Temporospatial variability of snow's thermal conductivity on Arctic sea ice

Abstract kg m - 3, and corresponding anisotropy measurements, meaning we can test the current parameterizations of thermal conductivity for this density range. Combining different measurement parameterizations and assessing the robustness against spatial heterogeneity, we found the average thermal conductivity of snow (< 550  kg m - 3) on sea ice remains approximately constant (0.26 ± W K - 1 m - 1) over time irrespective of underlying ice type, with substantial spatial and vertical variability. Due to this consistency, we can state that the thermal resistance is mainly influenced by snow height, resulting in a 2.7 times higher average thermal resistance on ridges (1.42 m 2 K W - 1) compared to first-year level ice (0.51 m 2 K W - 1). Our findings explain how the scatter of thermal conductivity values directly results from structural properties. Now, the only step is to find a quick method to measure snow anisotropy in the field. Suggestions to do this are listed in the discussion.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Temporospatial variability of snow's thermal conductivity on Arctic sea ice ; volume:17 ; number:12 ; year:2023 ; pages:5417-5434 ; extent:18 ; The Cryosphere ; 17, Heft 12 (2023), 5417-5434 (gesamt 18)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Macfarlane, Amy Rebecca ; Löwe, Henning ; Gimenes, Lucille ; Wagner, David N. ; Dadic, Ruzica ; Ottersberg, Rafael ; Hämmerle, Stefan ; Schneebeli, Martin

Further information

• DOI: 10.5194/tc-17-5417-2023
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2023122103140835842320
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:25 AM CEST