Measuring the spatiotemporal variability in snow depth in subarctic environments using UASs – Part 1: Measurements, processing, and accuracy assessment

• DOI: 10.5194/tc-17-4343-2023
• Publication Date: 2023-10-17T08:18:01Z
• Authors: Anssi Rauhala; Leo-Juhani Meriö; Anton Kuzmin; Pasi Korpelainen; Pertti Ala-aho; Timo Kumpula; Bjørn Kløve; Hannu Marttila
• Keywords: Subarctic climate

Abstract. Snow conditions in the Northern Hemisphere are rapidly changing, and information on snow depth is critical for decision-making other societal needs. Uncrewed or unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) can offer data resolutions of a few centimeters at catchment-scale thus provide low-cost solution to bridge gap between sparse manual probing low-resolution satellite data. In this study, we present series measurements using different UAS platforms throughout winter Finnish subarctic site Pallas, which has heterogeneous landscape. We discuss platforms, methods utilized, difficulties working harsh northern environment, results compared situ measurements. Generally, all UASs produced spatially representative estimates open areas after reliable georeferencing by structure from motion (SfM) photogrammetry technique. However, significant differences were observed accuracies measurements, with overall root mean square errors (RMSEs) varying 13.0 25.2 cm, depending UAS. Additionally, reduction accuracy was when moving an mire area forest-covered areas. demonstrate potential efficiently map surface conditions, give some recommendations platform selection operation environment variable canopy cover.