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Field verification of SAR wet snow mapping in a non-Alpine environment Ron Caves, Andrew Hodson, Owen Turpin, Chris Clark, Rob Ferguson, Shaun Quegan Sheffield Centre for Earth Observation Science, The University of Sheffield, Hicks Building, Hounsfield Road, Sheffield S3 7RH, UK. Telephone: +44 114 2223704, Fax: +44 114 2223809, Email: R.Caves@sheffield.ac.uk ABSTRACTSnow covered area is an important variable in snowmelt runoff modelling. Methods have been developed for mapping wet snow cover in alpine basins using SAR. This paper discusses the applicability of this method to a non-alpine basin, specifically the Spey in Scotland. The methodology is briefly described and differences be-tween applying it to alpine and higher latitude basins are highlighted. Field observations and measurements col-lected during an ERS pass in March 1998 are used to identify a suitable threshold for detection of wet snow. The results of wet snow detection over the whole basin are presented. These accord with field observations. Detection is constrained by areas of missing coverage caused by relief. The extent and elevation dependence of missing coverage are quantified. While rapidly changing snow conditions limit the application of the method in the Spey it should prove more viable in other non-alpine basins having greater and more stable snow cover. abstract | introduction | fieldwork | results | conclusions | acknowledgements and references | pdf version Last updated: 13th October, 1998 by Roger Dunham |
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