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Snow depth variability in the Northern Hemisphere mountains observed from space

Author

Listed:
  • Hans Lievens

    (KU Leuven
    Ghent University)

  • Matthias Demuzere

    (Ghent University
    Ruhr-University Bochum)

  • Hans-Peter Marshall

    (Boise State University
    U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory)

  • Rolf H. Reichle

    (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)

  • Ludovic Brucker

    (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
    GESTAR, Universities Space Research Association)

  • Isis Brangers

    (KU Leuven)

  • Patricia de Rosnay

    (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts)

  • Marie Dumont

    (Université Grenoble Alpes, Université de Toulouse, Météo-France, Grenoble, France, CNRS, CNRM, Centre d’Etudes de la Neige)

  • Manuela Girotto

    (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
    GESTAR, Universities Space Research Association
    University of California)

  • Walter W. Immerzeel

    (Utrecht University)

  • Tobias Jonas

    (WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF)

  • Edward J. Kim

    (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)

  • Inka Koch

    (International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development)

  • Christoph Marty

    (WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF)

  • Tuomo Saloranta

    (Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate NVE)

  • Johannes Schöber

    (TIWAG, Tiroler Wasserkraft AG)

  • Gabrielle J. M. De Lannoy

    (KU Leuven)

Abstract

Accurate snow depth observations are critical to assess water resources. More than a billion people rely on water from snow, most of which originates in the Northern Hemisphere mountain ranges. Yet, remote sensing observations of mountain snow depth are still lacking at the large scale. Here, we show the ability of Sentinel-1 to map snow depth in the Northern Hemisphere mountains at 1 km² resolution using an empirical change detection approach. An evaluation with measurements from ~4000 sites and reanalysis data demonstrates that the Sentinel-1 retrievals capture the spatial variability between and within mountain ranges, as well as their inter-annual differences. This is showcased with the contrasting snow depths between 2017 and 2018 in the US Sierra Nevada and European Alps. With Sentinel-1 continuity ensured until 2030 and likely beyond, these findings lay a foundation for quantifying the long-term vulnerability of mountain snow-water resources to climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Hans Lievens & Matthias Demuzere & Hans-Peter Marshall & Rolf H. Reichle & Ludovic Brucker & Isis Brangers & Patricia de Rosnay & Marie Dumont & Manuela Girotto & Walter W. Immerzeel & Tobias Jonas & , 2019. "Snow depth variability in the Northern Hemisphere mountains observed from space," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-12566-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12566-y
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    Cited by:

    1. Jie Li & Ruijing Qiao & Lexuan Liu & Kai Wu & Pengbo Du & Kun Ye & Wei Deng, 2024. "Village Settlements’ Perspective on Rural Water Accessibility: A Mountainous Water Security Measurement Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-16, May.
    2. Xiangyao Meng & Yongqiang Liu & Yan Qin & Weiping Wang & Mengxiao Zhang & Kun Zhang, 2022. "Adaptability of MODIS Daily Cloud-Free Snow Cover 500 m Dataset over China in Hutubi River Basin Based on Snowmelt Runoff Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-20, March.
    3. Shijin Wang, 2024. "Opportunities and threats of cryosphere change to the achievement of UN 2030 SDGs," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-13, December.
    4. Isabell Haag & Karim-Aly Kassam & Thomas Senftl & Harald Zandler & Cyrus Samimi, 2021. "Measurements meet human observations: integrating distinctive ways of knowing in the Pamir Mountains of Tajikistan to assess local climate change," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 165(1), pages 1-22, March.

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