A meteorological and glacial-meteorological reconnaissance of McGill Ice Cap, Axel Heiberg Island, N.W.T., Canada

Abstract

The meteorological and glacial-meteorological programs at Upper Ice Station, McGill Ice Cap, Axel Heiberg Island, N.W.T., Canada, carried out during the 1960 summer field season of the Jacobsen-McGill Arctic Research Expedition, are outlined as to purpose, instrumentation, and observational procedure. Results of the meteorological survey are presented in detail and basic data tabulated. Comparisons are made with similar investigations undertaken in glacierized areas. Provisionally acceptable glacial-meteorological computations indicate that radiation accounted for 58%, atmospheric convection of sensible heat 31% and latent heat 11$ of the total heat delivered to the snow surface during four major periods of ablation. Of the total heat available 72% was used in melting the snow, 12% for its sublimation, and 16% conducted through the underlying snow and ice.