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Fountain, Andrew G; Nylen, Thomas H; Monaghan, Andrew J; Basagic, Hassan J; Bromwich, David H (2010): (Table 1) Snow accumulation in the McMurdo Dry Valleys [dataset]. PANGAEA, https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.809526, Supplement to: Fountain, AG et al. (2010): Snow in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. International Journal of Climatology, 30(5), 633-642, https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.1933

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Abstract:
Snowfall was measured at 11 sites in the McMurdo Dry Valleys to determine its magnitude, its temporal changes, and spatial patterns. Annual values ranged from 3 to 50 mm water equivalent with the highest values nearest the coast and decreasing inland. A particularly strong spatial gradient exists in Taylor Valley, probably resulting from local uplift conditions at the coastal margin and valley topography that limits migration inland. More snow occurs in winter near the coast, whereas inland no seasonal pattern is discernable. This may be due, again, to local uplift conditions, which are common in winter. We find no influence of the distance to the sea ice edge. Katabatic winds play an important role in transporting snow to the valley bottoms and essentially double the precipitation. That much of the snow accumulation sublimates prior to making a hydrologic contribution underscores the notion that the McMurdo Dry Valleys are indeed an extreme polar desert.
Coverage:
Median Latitude: -77.587182 * Median Longitude: 162.689727 * South-bound Latitude: -77.740000 * West-bound Longitude: 161.680000 * North-bound Latitude: -77.378000 * East-bound Longitude: 163.418000
Date/Time Start: 1995-01-01T00:00:00 * Date/Time End: 2006-01-01T00:00:00
Minimum Elevation: 20.0 m * Maximum Elevation: 472.0 m
Event(s):
Canada_Gl * Latitude: -77.613000 * Longitude: 162.963000 * Elevation: 264.0 m * Location: Taylor Valley, East Antarctica * Method/Device: Unmanned weather station/meteorological observation (UWST)
Commonw_Gl * Latitude: -77.564000 * Longitude: 163.280000 * Elevation: 290.0 m * Location: Taylor Valley, East Antarctica * Method/Device: Unmanned weather station/meteorological observation (UWST)
Explorers_Cove2 * Latitude: -77.589000 * Longitude: 163.418000 * Elevation: 26.0 m * Location: Taylor Valley, East Antarctica * Method/Device: Unmanned weather station/meteorological observation (UWST)
Comment:
Data extracted in the frame of a joint ICSTI/PANGAEA IPY effort, see http://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.150150
Parameter(s):
#NameShort NameUnitPrincipal InvestigatorMethod/DeviceComment
1Event labelEvent
2Latitude of eventLatitude
3Longitude of eventLongitude
4Device typeDeviceFountain, Andrew GU = ultrasonic, W = weighing bucket, T = tipping bucket
5DATE/TIMEDate/TimeGeocode
6Accumulation of snow in water equivalent per yearAcc snow w.e.mm w.e./aFountain, Andrew G
7Accumulation of snow in water equivalent per yearAcc snow w.e.mm w.e./aFountain, Andrew Gsnow drift from katabatic events removed (= precipitation)
Size:
144 data points

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