Part 6/9:
The emergence of rain in Antarctica is not just a fascinating meteorological fact but carries substantial implications for the ice landscape. Rain affects the physical properties of snow; for instance, when rain falls on fresh snow, it darkens the surface and alters its reflectivity, potentially enhancing melting rates. This transformation is significant since darker surfaces absorb more heat, which can exacerbate melting.
Furthermore, the infiltration of rain into the snowpack can lead to the formation of ice layers. These layers can affect glacial flow and weaken the resilience of ice shelves to fracture, compounding the impacts of climate change as more precipitation events occur in the future.