Degree-days

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Abstract

The melting of snow and ice is assumed to be related to air temperature as long as air temperature is above a critical threshold, usually close to the melting point of ice. In particular, the amount of snow or ice melted at a certain place, during a certain period, is assumed proportional to the sum of positive temperatures (on the Celsius scale) at the same place and in the same period. The amount of melt is linked to this positive degree-day sum by the degree-day factor. In the present article, air temperature refers to conventional measurements made c. 2 m above the snow or ice surface, or extrapolated from a similar station in the same region.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEncyclopedia of snow, ice and glaciers
EditorsV. P. Singh, P. Singh, U. K. Haritashya
PublisherSpringer Nature
Pages196-199
Number of pages4
ISBN (Print)978-90-481-2641-5
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2011

Publication series

NameEncyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series
PublisherSpringer
ISSN (Electronic)1388-4360

Keywords

  • Snow, ice, melting, air temperature, degree-day sum, degree-day factor

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