The dynamics of a seasonal snow cover in the temperate cryosphere are critical for discussing climate change and understanding Earth systems. The most basic information is the previously unknown surface energy balance of snow and ice that can describe the snow dynamics in Japanese Alps. We show the surface energy balance properties of seasonal snow cover in the Northern Japanese Alps: one is the net radiation controlling the surface energy balance variation, and the negative latent heat flux (sublimation). We found that the surface energy balance property in this region is similar to that in the continental climate region due to the specific climate of Japan (winter monsoon) and topographic conditions (steep elevation gradient) of the Japanese Alps. This is a novel finding because Japanese seasonal snow cover is thought to accumulate and ablate under a maritime climate. It has been reported that the sensitivity of snow ablation to global warming depends on current atmospheric conditions. The results offer vital context for discussing environmental changes in the temperate cryosphere and environment of the Japanese Alpine region.

温带冰冻圈季节性积雪的动态对于讨论气候变化和了解地球系统至关重要。最基本的信息是以前未知的冰雪表面能量平衡，可以描述日本阿尔卑斯山的雪动态。我们展示了日本北部阿尔卑斯山季节性积雪的表面能量平衡特性：一是控制表面能量平衡变化的净辐射，以及负潜热通量（升华）。我们发现，由于日本特有的气候（冬季风）和日本阿尔卑斯山的地形条件（陡峭的海拔梯度），该地区的地表能量平衡特性与大陆性气候区相似。这是一个新发现，因为日本的季节性积雪被认为是在海洋气候下积累和消融的。据报道，雪消融对全球变暖的敏感性取决于当前的大气条件。结果为讨论日本阿尔卑斯地区温带冰冻圈和环境的环境变化提供了重要的背景。