Snow-cover reconstruction methodology for mountainous regions based on historic in situ observations and recent remote sensing data

• DOI: 10.5194/tc-9-451-2015
• Publication Date: 2015-03-04T08:36:49Z
• Authors: A. Gafurov; S. Vorogushyn; D. Farinotti; D. Duethmann; A. Merkushkin; B. Merz
• Keywords: Environmental sciences; QE1-996.5; 550; 13. Climate action; 0207 environmental engineering; GE1-350; Geology; 02 engineering and technology; 910; 15. Life on land; 6. Clean water

Abstract. Spatially distributed snow-cover extent can be derived from remote sensing data with good accuracy. However, such are available for recent decades only, after satellite missions proper snow detection capabilities were launched. Yet, longer time series of area usually required, e.g., hydrological model calibration or water availability assessment in the past. We present a methodology to reconstruct historical coverage using recently and long-term point observations depth existing meteorological stations. The is mainly based on correlations between station records spatial patterns. Additionally, topography temporal persistence patterns taken into account. was applied Zerafshan River basin Central Asia – very data-sparse region. Reconstructed cover cross validated against independent shows an accuracy about 85%. used mountainous regions overcome gap earlier when strongly limited.