The date of snow disappearance on the Arctic tundra as determined from satellite, meteorological station and radiometric in situ observations

Abstract

Satellite-derived snow cover maps for sites in Alaska, Canada, Scandinavia and Siberia were employed to assess the date when snow disappeared on the Arctic tundra and to determine whether the snow has been melting earlier in the spring in recent years. Results show that for three of the four sites there has been a tendency toward earlier snowmelt during the 1980s. In Alaska, the satellite-derived date of snowmelt was compared to the date of snowmelt as observed at the Barrow meteorological station and a site near Barrow where radiometric in situ measurements were made for the last 5 years. The three data sources complement each other even though the satellite site is located 150 km from Barrow. One mechanism which could cause a trend toward earlier snowmelt in Alaska is the deposition of soot and particulates on the snow surface as a result of Arctic haze. >