Abstract. Nine density-dependent empirical thermal conductivity
relationships for firn were compared against data from three automatic
weather stations at climatically different sites in East Antarctica (Dome A,
Eagle, and LGB69). The empirical relationships were validated using a
vertical, 1D thermal diffusion model and a phase-change-based
firn diffusivity estimation method. The best relationships for the abovementioned sites were identified by comparing the modeled and observed firn
temperature at a depth of 1 and 3 m, and from the mean heat
conductivities over two depth intervals (1–3 and 3–10 m). Among the nine
relationships, that proposed by Calonne et al. (2011) appeared to show the
best performance. The density- and temperature-dependent relationship given
in Calonne et al. (2019) does not show clear superiority over other
density-dependent relationships. This study provides a useful reference for
firn thermal conductivity parameterizations in land modeling or snow–air
interaction studies on the Antarctica ice sheet.
Supplementary material to "Brief communication: Evaluation of multiple empirical, density-dependent snow conductivity relationships at East Antarctica"