The Distribution of Ten-meter Snow Temperatures on the Greenland Ice Sheet

All available 10-m snow temperatures from the Greenland ice sheet have been collected and analyzed using multiple regression techniques to develop equations capable of accurately predicting these temperatures. The resulting equations show that 10-m snow temperatures in north Greenland and its sub-areas can be accurately predicted from the independent parameters, latitude and elevation. Longitude was found to be another significant parameter in south Greenland. In all cases the values of the multiple correlation coefficients were .928 or greater. Gradients of 10-m snow temperatures vs elevation for north Greenland are close to the dry adiabatic lapse rate, indicating adiabatic warming of katabatic winds as the controlling mechanism in the altitudinal distribution of both mean annual air temperatures and 10-m snow temperatures in dry snow. The data also suggest that south Greenland is colder with respect to its latitude and longitude than north Greenland. An isotherm contour map showing the distribution of 10-m snow temperatures on the Greenland ice sheet calculated from the prediction equations was prepared. A tabulation of the elevations and sources as well as brief studies of Marie Byrd Land and Victoria Land in the Antarctic are included. (Author).