01745nas a2200193 4500008004100000245004900041210004700090260001200137300001200149490000700161520118900168653001101357100002401368700002201392700002101414700002401435700002001459856007201479 2010 eng d00aSnow in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica.0 aSnow in the McMurdo Dry Valleys Antarctica c04/2010 a633-6420 v303 a

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. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society

10aBiggie1 aFountain, Andrew, G1 aNylen, Thomas, H.1 aMonaghan, Andrew1 aBasagic, Hassan, J.1 aBromwich, David uhttps://mcm.lternet.edu/content/snow-mcmurdo-dry-valleys-antarctica