Albedo of the Sahara

Ground and airborne measurements of the albedo of the Sahara desert are summarized. Large sand surfaces show albedo values 40% in airborne measurements, for volcanic, mountainous regions it is 30%. Ground measurements give values between 47% and 49% for sand. Comparison of plant coverage, albedo, and surface type gives average Saharan albedo = 32%; considering only bare surfaces, the albedo is 36%. For the last glaciation period average albedo is estimated at 38%. For the more humid period 5500yr ago, it is 27%.