Antarctic Blowing Snow Distribution from CALIPSO Lidar

CALIPSO satellite data provides the distribution of blowing snow properties over Antarctica using back-scatter retrievals. This Level 2 product was created by NASA and the French CNES from the CALIOP instrument. Data collection for this version is complete, with the satellite launched in 2006 and last updated in 2020.

Use Cases

• Analyze the spatial and temporal distribution of blowing snow events over Antarctica using back-scatter retrievals.
• Study the impact of blowing snow on surface albedo and regional climate models based on lidar-derived property profiles.
• Validate and improve blowing snow detection algorithms by comparing CALIOP back-scatter data with ground-based or other satellite observations.
• Investigate correlations between blowing snow frequency and Antarctic weather patterns using the time-series of lidar retrievals.

Strengths

• Data from the CALIOP instrument, a primary payload on a dedicated NASA-CNES satellite mission.
• Product focuses on the specific and impactful geophysical phenomenon of blowing snow over Antarctica.
• Data collection is declared complete, providing a stable record for analysis.

Limitations

• Specific data volume, row count, and temporal resolution within the collection period are unknown.
• Relies solely on lidar back-scatter retrievals, which may require complementary data for full geophysical interpretation.
• Last update recorded in 2020, indicating the dataset is a static snapshot and not receiving ongoing updates.

Provenance

Source

NASA and the French Centre National D'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) CALIPSO mission.

Collection Method

Collected by the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) instrument on the CALIPSO satellite.

Time Range

Collection spans from the CALIPSO launch in April 2006; specific start and end dates for this product are unknown.

Freshness

Static dataset; last updated 2020-06-30.

Geography

Antarctica.