Tracking Alpine Snowpack Melt Discharge Dynamics from Satellites:
Preparation for Field Work-Supported as NASA Unsolicited Grant
[Terrestrial Hydrology Program]

Contents:

Surface Melt Magnitude Retrieval over the Greenland Ice Sheet

Assessment of Bulk Snowpack

>> Tracking Alpine Snowpack

Acquisition of Portalbe Radiometer for Cryoshphere Remote Sensing Research

Variability in regional climate affects snow covered area, amount, and timing of water yields. Remote sensing is an evolving technology for monitoring snow pack dynamics over large areas and extensive periods. The use of integrated satellite data records from moderate satellite systems such as AVHRR, MODIS, and future NPOESS VIIRS would provide a wealth of information about snow dynamics spanning from the early-late 1980s through the life of the VIIRS Field campaigns during the 2008 ablation season at Niwot Ridge will be conducted. Surface spectral measurements will be acquired using a portable radiometer while a lysimeter array monitoring melt discharge. This array has been deployed by Dr. Mark Williams (INSTAAR).

The goal of this research is to monitor timing, amplitude, and spatio-temporal variability of snowmelt dynamics as a component of hydrologic flux in mountain environments. This goal will be achieved through the development and validation of a technique using the optical satellite system MODIS (TERRA and AQUA) daily reflectance and surface temperature information.

Tracking Alpine Snowpack Melt Discharge Dynamics from Satellites: Preparation for Field Work-Supported as NASA Unsolicited Grant [Terrestrial Hydrology Program]

Tracking Alpine Snowpack Melt Discharge Dynamics from Satellites:
Preparation for Field Work-Supported as NASA Unsolicited Grant
[Terrestrial Hydrology Program]