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General Listing
Title of Listing:
Global Snow Cover Parameters from Satellite Microwave Data
Category:
Maps/Geographic Data
Subcategory:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration-NASA, All Listings
Date:
Document #:
Web Site:
http://www.fgdc.gov/FGDP/Global_Snow_Cover_Parameters_from_Satellite_Microwave_Data.html
Email:
nsidc@eos.nasa.gov
Abstract:

Global snow cover maps derived from the NIMBUS-7 Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR) data for a period of 9 years (1978 to 1987). The SMMR perceives microwave radiation penetrating through clouds and snowpacks, which provides depth and water equivalent information about snow fields. Based on theoretical calculations, snow covered area and snow water equivalent retrieval algorithms have been developed. The spatial resolution of the data is 0.25 degrees by 0.25 degrees.

          Intercomparisons of SMMR, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/National Environmental Satellite Data Information Service (NOAA/NESDIS) and United States Air Force Global Weather Center snow maps have been conducted to evaluate and assess the accuracy of SMMR-derived snow maps. The total snow covered area derived from SMMR is usually about 10 percent less than the other two products. This is because passive microwave sensors cannot detect shallow, dry snow which is less than 5 cm in depth. However, when the microwave signatures indicate snow, the entire field of view is probably snow covered. To evaluate the quality of retrieved snow water equivalent from passive microwave data, several areas were chosen for comparison. The best results were found in the Canadian high plains and the Russian steppe areas. Further tests are required before regional algorithms can be developed to improve the quality of the data for operational purposes.

          Visit the NSIDC at http://www-nsidc.colorado.edu/
Topics
Climate Data, Mapping/GIS, Remote Sensing

Additional Topics/Tags/Keywords
Hydrology, Remotely Sensed, Satellite, Snow, Vegetation

Organization:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), Snow and Ice Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC)
Address:
CIRES, Campus Box 449
University of Colorado
Phone:
DescriptionNumber
City:
Boulder
1.
Primary (303) 492-6199
State/Province/Territory:
CO
2.
Zip/Postal Code:
80309-0449
3.
Country:
United States
4.
Fax:(303) 492-2468
Branch Locations: