Spatial Variation of Degree-day Factors on the Observed Glaciers in Western China

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  • 1. Key Laboratory of Cryosphere and Environment, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, CAS, Lanzhou 730000, China;
    2. Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, CAS, Beijing 100029, China

Received date: 2005-10-30

  Revised date: 2005-11-20

  Online published: 2006-01-25

Supported by

National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.90202013; No.40371026; Knowledge Innovation Project of CAS, No.KZCX3-SW-345; No.KZCX3-SW-339

Abstract

Degree-day factor is an important parameter of degree-day model which is a widely used method for ice and snow melt computation. Spatial variations of a degree-day factor have great impacts on the accuracy of snow or ice melt modeling. This paper analyzes the spatial variability characteristics of the degree-day factors obtained from the observed glaciers of different regions in western China. Results clearly show that the regional patterns of the degree-day factors are detectable on the observed glaciers of western China due to the unique climatic environment and heat budget of the Tibetan Plateau and the surrounding areas; the factors of maritime glaciers are higher than those of the sub-continental and extremely continental glaciers because of the ablation area covered with a thin debris layer in the maritime glacier; for a single glacier, the degree-day factors are subject to significant small-scale variations. In general, the regional patterns of the degree-day factors are detectable on observed glaciers due to the unique climatic environment and heat budget of the Tibetan Plateau and the surrounding areas. Low degree-day factors can be expected for cold-dry areas, whereas, high degree-day factors can be expected for warm-wet areas in western China.

Cite this article

ZHANG Yong, LIU Shiyin, DING Yongjian . Spatial Variation of Degree-day Factors on the Observed Glaciers in Western China[J]. Acta Geographica Sinica, 2006 , 61(1) : 89 -98 . DOI: 10.11821/xb200601009

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