Topic: Analyzing Satellite-based Snow Cover Variability and its Sensitivity to Climatic Factors
Abstract:
Change in snow cover and their extent plays an important role in hydrological modelling and regional water resource management. Therefore, the quantification of these changes is crucial to protect and restore the Karakoram and Himalayan (KH) region. Reliable estimation of snow cover is hindered in terms of data availability over the complex terrain of the KH region. For monitoring snow cover variability at large spatio-temporal scale, the daily Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) snow products are widely used. However, the presence of cloud cover introduces discontinuities in both spatial and temporal scales. Therefore, we have implemented a comprehensive five-step composite methodology for cloud removal across the KH region from 2000 to 2019. The cloud-free snow cover area (SCA) from MODIS was compared with Landsat-8, and also develop the relationship with in-situ observations (snowfall and temperature). The annual SCA reveals a rising trend throughout the KH region, except for the eastern Himalayas (EH). Further, we assessed the snow cover days and nine distinct snow cover timing indices to explore the snow cover characteristics. The relationships between SCA and meteorological variables were evaluated, suggesting a stronger correlation with temperature and shortwave radiation. A sensitivity analysis was performed, indicating higher sensitivity of SCA to radiation than to other selected variables.
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