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Geolens

Case study UK

Cairngorms snow albedo

Scottish Highlands

Snow-covered and snow-free ground in the Cairngorms reflect different amounts of sunlight. Their contrast makes the role of albedo visible in a familiar landscape.

Snow patches and dark exposed ground across the Cairngorm mountains, with an RAF rescue helicopter in the foreground.
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Winter in the Cairngorms during a rescue-training flight. Bright snow reflects more sunlight than the darker exposed ground; patchy cover changes the landscape's albedo.
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Location: 57.08°, -3.67°

Fresh snow generally reflects a much larger fraction of sunlight than dark exposed ground. When snow cover changes, the fraction of incoming solar energy absorbed by the landscape changes too. The effect also depends on cloud, solar angle and snow condition.

Compare the two surfaces in the energy-budget model while keeping incoming sunlight constant. Ask students to explain the difference in absorption before changing another variable, such as cloud or surface temperature.

Open this state in the lab

Exam-style question

Why does a snow-covered Cairngorm plateau heat the air less than a snow-free peat surface under the same incoming solar radiation?

Teacher hint: At the same incoming sunlight, a higher albedo means more reflection and less absorption by the surface.

Process labs

Earth’s energy budget

Sources

  • Met Office / CEH snow and peat