Substantiation of the Priestley and Taylor Parameter α = 1.26 for Potential Evaporation in High Latitudes

Abstract

Summertime latent heat flux values determined by the energy budget approach are compared to equilibrium model estimates for two shallow lakes and two sedge meadow surfaces in northern Canada. Comparison of energy budget values with equilibrium estimates for each surface show that the latent heat flux can be accurately determined by the Priestley and Taylor (1972) model, where α the ratio of actual to equilibrium evaporation equals 1.26. Results suggest that the Priestley and Taylor parameter is generally applicable to saturated surfaces in high latitudes.