Item: Radar remote sensing of mountain snow: a review of current ground-based, airborne and satellite-based approaches to monitoring snow properties
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Title: Radar remote sensing of mountain snow: a review of current ground-based, airborne and satellite-based approaches to monitoring snow properties
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop Proceedings 2018, Innsbruck, Austria
Authors:
- Hans-Peter Marshall [ Cryosphere Geophysics And Remote Sensing (CryoGARS) group, Boise State University ]
- Mark Robertson [ Cryosphere Geophysics And Remote Sensing (CryoGARS) group, Boise State University ]
- Megan Mason [ Cryosphere Geophysics And Remote Sensing (CryoGARS) group, Boise State University ]
- Chago Rodriguez [ Cryosphere Geophysics And Remote Sensing (CryoGARS) group, Boise State University ]
- Tate Meehan [ Cryosphere Geophysics And Remote Sensing (CryoGARS) group, Boise State University ]
Date: 2018-10-07
Abstract: Satellite remote sensing products are used on a daily basis by avalanche forecasters, as a crucial aid in prediction of storms during the winter and spring. While these remote sensing products provide valuable information about approaching storms, and have been part of an avalanche forecaster’s daily routine for decades, we still do not have remote sensing products which provide information about snowfall amounts, nor total snow on the ground. Although research over the past decade has demonstrated the potential for monitoring snow using remote sensing, current operational snow remote sensing products are limited to snow covered area, which is of little direct use to avalanche forecasters. Snow radar remote sensing is just now reaching a maturity level where sensors and data are becoming available at the necessary spatial and temporal resolutions, and at the appropriate frequencies, that are relevant for avalanche forecasting. Satellite radar with spatial resolutions on the order of meters, and repeat intervals on the order of days, have just recently removed some of the major limitations for radar remote sensing in the mountains. Microwave radar is highly sensitive to liquid water, providing both a challenge to estimating snow mass, as well as an opportunity for monitoring the spatial extent of melt and rain-on-snow events. Changes in snowpack mass cause changes in microwave radar amplitude and phase, and radar is also being used to monitor snowfall rates. Ground-based radar systems can track snow water equivalent, estimate snow density and liquid water content, are used to measure falling snow, and for avalanche detection. Recent airborne snow radar missions, and preliminary results from recently launched satellitebased radar sensors, have indicated that operational monitoring of changes in snow water equivalent and depth, as well as recent avalanche activity, will likely be possible at high resolution in the near future from space. Recent results from our network of tower-based radar systems, as well as results from the recent intensive NASA SnowEx airborne snow remote sensing campaign will be presented. This presentation will review the current state-of-the-art of radar remote sensing of snow from ground-based, airborne, and satellite-based platforms, in the context of snow products that will be available and useful to avalanche forecasters in the near future.
Language of Article: English
Presenters:
Keywords: radar, snow water equivalent, wet snow, snow remote sensing.
Page Number(s): 300-302
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Digital Abstract Not Available
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