Satellite Snow Grain Size and Surface Temperature at 250m Resolution

GCOM-C/SGLI L2 Snow and Ice Physical Properties data provides global measurements of snow grain size and surface temperature. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) produces this dataset from the SGLI sensor onboard the GCOM-C satellite, launched in December 2017. It contains three primary data layers: Snow Grain size of Shallow Layer (SGSL), Snow and Ice Surface Temperature (SIST), and a QA flag.

Use Cases

• Model snow albedo feedback in climate systems using the Snow Grain size of Shallow Layer (SGSL) feature.
• Validate surface energy balance models against the Snow and Ice Surface Temperature (SIST) data.
• Filter low-quality observations for analysis by applying the QA_flag layer.
• Study spatial heterogeneity of snowpack properties at 250-meter resolution using the SGSL and SIST geospatial tiles.
• Assimilate SIST temperature estimates into regional weather or hydrological forecasting models.

Strengths

• Provides two key cryospheric variables—snow grain size and skin temperature—derived from a dedicated satellite sensor.
• Data is generated at a 250-meter spatial resolution, suitable for regional-scale analysis.
• SGSL is estimated using a neural network method on visible/near-infrared radiance, and SIST uses a split-window method on thermal infrared brightness temperature.

Limitations

• Specific temporal coverage, row count, and geographic completeness are not provided in the input.
• The dataset's utility for time-series analysis is unclear without documented update frequency or historical depth.
• Relies on satellite retrieval algorithms which may introduce systematic biases under certain atmospheric or surface conditions.

Provenance

Source

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

Collection Method

Derived from Level 1B or Level 2 products of the SGLI sensor onboard the GCOM-C satellite, using ancillary meteorological data.

Time Range

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Freshness

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Geography

Global, with a sensor swath of 1150 km (visible) to 1400 km (infrared).