Variation in the surface heat flux on the north and south slopes of Mount Qomolangma

Abstract

The distinctive conditions present on the north and south slopes of Mount Qomolangma, along with the intricate variations in the underlying surfaces, result in notable variations in the surface energy flux patterns of the two slopes. In this paper, data from TESEBS (Topographical Enhanced Surface Energy Balance System), remote sensing data from eight cloud-free scenarios, and observational data from nine stations are utilized to examine the fluctuations in the surface heat flux on both slopes. The inclusion of MCD43A3 satellite data enhances the surface albedo, contributing to more accurate simulation outcomes. The model results are validated using observational data. The RMSEs of the net radiation, ground heat, sensible heat, and latent heat flux are 40.73, 17.09, 33.26, and 30.91 W m⁻², respectively. The net radiation flux is greater on the south slope and exhibits a rapid decline from summer to autumn. Due to the influence of the monsoon, on the north slope, the maximum sensible heat flux occurs in the pre-monsoon period in summer and the maximum latent heat flux occurs during the monsoon. The south slope experiences the highest latent heat flux in summer. The dominant flux on the north slope is sensible heat, while it is latent heat on the south slope. The seasonal variations in the ground heat flux are more pronounced on the south slope than on the north slope. Except in summer, the ground heat flux on the north slope surpasses that on the south slope.

摘要

珠穆朗玛峰南北坡独特的地形条件和复杂的下垫面, 导致了南北坡地表通量分布的显著差异. 本文利用地形增强地表能量平衡模式 (Topographical Enhanced Surface Energy Balance System (TESEBS)), 遥感数据和站点观测数据, 对季风和非季风期南北坡的地表热通量变化进行了研究. 首先, 把MCD43A3卫星数据加入TESEBS, 改进了地表反照率, 使模拟结果更准确. 受季风影响, 北坡季风期感热通量最大值出现在季风前期, 潜热通量最大值出现在季风期. 南坡季风期潜热通量最大. 全年北坡以感热交换为主, 南坡以潜热交换为主. 土壤热通量的季节变化在南坡比北坡更明显.