On the radiation budget in the alps

This study reviews the investigations on the radiation budget in the Alps at elevations above 1500 m a.s.l. Regarding outgoing radiation, only that from snow and ice is considered. Physical relationships between radiation and variables such as elevation, month and cloud amount are discussed. The individual components of the radiation budget are analysed first, and then an attempt is made to synthesize radiation balances. Elevation dependencies between 2000 and 3500 m a.s.l. in the canton of Valais (south‐western Switzerland) in summer (June to August) for average cloud conditions (1931‐1960) are as follows: the cloud amount increases from 0.507 to 0.582. The maxima occur in June. Global radiation increases from 22.7 to 23.6 MJm −2 d −1 . The maxima occur in June. Counter‐radiation decreases from 25.8 to 21.9 MJm −2 d −1 . The maxima occur in July. For average albedo, the radiation balance of horizontal glacier surfaces decreases from 15.3 to 5.3 MJm −2 d −1 , with the maxima occurring in July. For albedo conditions after snowfall, the radiation balance decreases from 2.7 to 1.3 MJm −2d d −1 , the maxima occurring in June or July. The study has the following applications, among others: it can (1) contribute to the understanding of the genesis of the climate of the Alps, (2) assist in the development of runoff models for heavily glacierized basins and (3) be helpful in the use of solar energy.