Red and Near-Infrared Spectral Reflectance of Snow.
Abstract
The spectral reflectance of snow in the range of 0.60 to 2.50 micrometers wavelengths was studied in a cold laboratory using natural snow and simulated preparations of snow. A white barium sulfate powder was used as the standard for comparison. The high reflectance (usually nearly 100%) of fresh natural snow in the visible wavelength declines rapidly at wavelengths near and beyond 0.80 micrometers, as the spectral absorption coefficients of ice increase. The rate of decline of near-infrared reflectance due to aging is strongly affected by the history of the snow during aging. Snow aged under certain conditions may retain 90% or so of its reflectance in the visible red, yet may be only about 10% as reflective as the original fresh snow beyond 2.2 micrometers. Several environmental factors such as ambient temperature and wind effects which contribute to the variability in snow reflectance are discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA007732
Entities
People
- Harold W. O'brien
- Richard H. Munis
Organizations
- Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory