Dark snow: The troubling phenomenon

[Still Waters]

When American geologist Ulyana Horodyskyj set up a mini weather station at 5,800m on Mount Himlung, on the Nepal-Tibet border, she looked east towards Everest and was shocked. The world's highest glacier, Khumbu, was turning visibly darker as particles of fine dust, blown by fierce winds, settled on the bright, fresh snow. "One-week-old snow was turning black and brown before my eyes, "she said.

http://www.rawstory....lacier-melting/

[Kenemet]

Interesting, because this also suggests that local albedo may increase drought (more heat) and other problems. So... in some areas, reflected heat from a surface (leaving the bottom cooler) may not be as bad as absorbed heat (the area is hotter for a longer time.)

Intriguing, and thanks for posting.