Modelled and satellite‐derived surface albedo of lake ice – part II: evaluation of MODIS albedo products

Abstract

AbstractAlbedo products (MOD10A1, MYD10A1, and MCD43A3) from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) have the potential to be integrated directly into lake ice models such as the Canadian lake ice model (CLIMo) to improve the simulation of freshwater break‐up (ice‐off). The high albedo of snow and lake ice has been shown to affect the timing of break‐up. Therefore, the surface energy balance parameterization of CLIMo requires accurate estimates of albedo when modelling phenology. MOD10A1, MYD10A1, and MCD43A3 were evaluated against in situ snow and ice albedo observations taken over a partially snow‐covered freshwater lake (Malcolm Ramsay Lake) near Churchill, Manitoba, during the ice growth period (15 February 2012 to 25 April 2012). The MODIS albedo products were then compared with the CLIMo's albedo parameterization during the ice break‐up period.The MODIS albedo products MOD10A1, MYD10A1, and MCD43A3 retrieved snow and ice albedo with root mean square error values of 0.07, 0.08, and 0.06, respectively, compared with spatially averaged in situ albedo measurements during ice growth. MODIS albedo products compared with CLIMo's melting ice parameterization during the melt season indicate that CLIMo's albedo estimates have a mean difference of at least 0.14 compared with the MODIS retrievals during melt. The quality of the albedo retrievals over lake ice from MODIS and the need for more accurate albedo simulations during the melt season suggest that the assimilation of MODIS albedo products into CLIMo could be beneficial for the determination of break‐up (ice‐off) dates. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.