Magazine Article

Spectral Profiler Probe for 'In Situ' Snow Grain Size and Composition Stratigraphy

TBMG-13025

03/01/2012

Abstract
Content

An ultimate goal of the climate change, snow science, and hydrology communities is to measure snow water equivalent (SWE) from satellite measurements. Seasonal SWE is highly sensitive to climate change and provides fresh water for much of the world population. Snowmelt from mountainous regions represents the dominant water source for 60 million people in the United States and over one billion people globally. Determination of snow grain sizes comprising mountain snowpack is critical for predicting snow meltwater runoff, understanding physical properties and radiation balance, and providing necessary input for interpreting satellite measurements. Both microwave emission and radar backscatter from the snow are dominated by the snow grain size stratigraphy. As a result, retrieval algorithms for measuring snow water equivalents from orbiting satellites is largely hindered by inadequate knowledge of grain size.

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Citation
"Spectral Profiler Probe for 'In Situ' Snow Grain Size and Composition Stratigraphy," Mobility Engineering, March 1, 2012.
Additional Details
Publisher
Published
Mar 1, 2012
Product Code
TBMG-13025
Content Type
Magazine Article
Language
English