Degree–day factors for snow and ice for Dokriani Glacier, Garhwal Himalayas

In the present study, degree–day factors for snow and ice were determined over Dokriani Glacier located in the Garhwal Himalayas. The field experiments were made at an altitude of about 4000 m. Effect of a thin fine dust layer on both degree–day factors was also examined. Average values of degree–day factor for clean and dusted snow were computed to be 5.7 and 6.4 mm °C−1 day−1, respectively, whereas for clean ice and dusted ice the value of this factor was found 7.4 and 8.0 mm °C−1 day−1. The degree–day factor for clean ice was about 30% higher than that for clean snow. The presence of dust increased the degree–day factor for snow by about 12%, whereas for ice this factor was increased by about 9%. These observations suggest that the effect of dust on degree–day factor for snow is more pronounced than that for ice.