The BOREAS Information System

HYD-4: Determination of Snow Cover Variations in the Boreal Forest Using Passive Microwave Radiometry

P.I.(s): Barry E. Goodison, Ann E. Walker -- Atmospheric Environment Service (AES), Climate and Atmospheric Research Directorate

Objectives: To investigate snow cover variations within and between the BOREAS study areas using passive microwave radiometry. It involves algorithm development and validation to derive snow water equivalent and extent from passive microwave radiometer data, incorporating variations in surface land cover. Co-incident airborne microwave radiometer (Twin Otter) and airborne gamma Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) observations are critical to algorithm development. Ground, airborne, and satellite data will facilitate scaling up to the satellite resolution. The effects of forest cover (density, type) on snow cover retrievals will be assessed and incorporated in the determination of snow cover variability. The use of passive microwave data in combination with optical and thermal IR data to improve snow cover retrievals will be explored in conjunction with RSS-19 Airborne radiometer flights during dry snow conditions are mandatory; flights during a wet snow condition are desirable as well. The flights were mandatory during the winter FFC. The airborne radiometer and airborne gamma were not flown during the FFC-T.

HYD-4 Pictures

The NRC Twin Otter

HYD-4 Data Sets