The seasonal cycle of sublimation at Halley, Antarctica

We have used micrometeorological data collected at Halley Research Station, Antarctica, to estimate monthly totals of snow sublimation. Direct sublimation from the snow surface is calculated using bulk-transfer formulae, while the sublimation of blowing snow is estimated using a model for suspended-particle number density and individual particle sublimation rates. During the winter months, sublimation losses are negligible, but between November and March sublimation removes around 25% of the snowfall. Surface sublimation and sublimation of blowing snow make roughly equal contributions to this total. Estimates of sublimation using micrometeorological data agree well with estimates made from daily snow-stake measurements.

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