Influence of albedo variability in complex terrain on mesoscale systems

Abstract

This short contribution illustrates observed variations in albedo as measured from a geostationary satellite in which most of the variability is due to different geological formations. While slope and aspect of the terrain have some influence on the albedo since the direct insolation of the sun intercepts the surface at different angles, most of the variation results from the type of soil and rock surface. Previous investigations of albedo variations include those of Otterman (1977) and Mahrer and Pielke (1978). In those works, the denudation of the Sinai peninsula of dry plant material by uncontrolled grazing goats, as contrasted with the controlled grazing in the Negev Desert, resulted in substantial albedo differences. The Sinai was cooled by as much as 9°C. -from Authors