Retrieval of snow physical parameters using a ground-based spectral radiometer

Area of Science:

• Earth and Environmental Sciences
• Atmospheric Science
• Snow Science

Background:

• Accurate measurement of snow physical properties is crucial for climate and hydrological modeling.
• Existing methods for retrieving snow impurities and grain size can be labor-intensive and limited by weather conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel ground-based spectral radiometer system for the automated retrieval of snow physical parameters.
• To assess the system's capability to measure snow impurities and effective grain size under various illumination conditions, including cloudy weather.

Main Methods:

• Development of the ground-based spectral radiometer system for albedo and flux (GSAF), utilizing a single sensor to measure spectral albedo and diffuse fraction.
• Implementation of precise cosine response correction for insolation and a retrieval algorithm that accounts for illumination conditions.
• Continuous field measurements at two snowfields in Hokkaido, Japan.

Main Results:

• The GSAF system successfully retrieves snow impurity mass concentration and effective snow grain size automatically.
• Measurements are accurate even under cloudy conditions due to the algorithm's consideration of illumination effects.
• Continuous measurements demonstrated strong correlations (R=0.595 to 0.940) between GSAF-retrieved parameters and in situ measurements.

Conclusions:

• The GSAF system offers a robust and automated method for monitoring snow physical properties.
• The system's ability to function under diverse weather conditions enhances its applicability in remote sensing and climate studies.
• Validated correlations confirm the GSAF system's reliability for snow research.