Use of passive microwave and optical data for large-scale snow-cover mapping

Abstract

Satellite data from different sensors can be exploited to yield maximum information on snow cover, depth and reflectance. This paper reflects some rudimentary efforts to compare optical and passive-microwave data for mapping snow cover. The authors discuss some of the advantages and difficulties in using optical and passive-microwave data, together, to map snow cover. The ability to use multiple data sets will be especially important when future Earth Observing System (EOS) sensors are launched with improved optical and microwave sensors in the late 1990s and early 21st century. Thus it is necessary to intercompare data sets now so that reliable algorithms will be in place at or near the time when EOS is launched.<>