Arctic Sea Ice Snow Depth from Airborne Radar Surveys

Snow depth statistics on Arctic sea ice are derived from NASA Operation IceBridge airborne snow radar echograms. The dataset covers annual surveys conducted from March to May between 2009 and 2015, with measurements aggregated into 10-kilometer along-track segments. It is produced by NASA and distributed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Use Cases

• Analyzing interannual variability in snow depth on Arctic sea ice using the 10 km segment statistics.
• Validating satellite-based snow depth or sea ice thickness models with high-resolution airborne radar data.
• Investigating the spatial distribution of snow cover for sea ice energy balance and albedo studies.
• Correlating snow depth measurements with concurrent atmospheric or oceanic conditions from other IceBridge instruments.

Strengths

• Data is derived from direct, low-altitude airborne radar measurements, providing high-resolution ground truth.
• Covers seven distinct field campaign years (2009-2012, 2014-2015), allowing for multi-year trend analysis.
• Measurements are aggregated into standardized 10 km segments, facilitating consistent spatial analysis.

Limitations

• Specific column names, row counts, and file sizes are not provided by any source, limiting initial assessment of structure.
• There is a conflict in the 'last updated' metadata, with one source showing 2015 and another showing 2026, creating uncertainty about recent maintenance.
• Data collection is limited to the March-May spring period and does not provide full seasonal coverage.

Provenance

Source

NASA Operation IceBridge airborne surveys, processed and distributed by NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.

Collection Method

Derived from frequency modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) snow radar echograms acquired during low-altitude aircraft flights.

Time Range

2009-2015 (specifically March-May of 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015)

Freshness

2026-03-05 23:17:09.394319

Geography

Arctic sea ice regions surveyed by NASA Operation IceBridge flight lines.