SnowEx20 Laser Snow Microstructure Specific Surface Area Data V001 contains vertical profiles of snow reflectance, specific surface area (SSA), and spherical equivalent snow grain diameter. Data were collected by NSIDC_CPRD during the SnowEx 2020 Grand Mesa, Colorado Intensive Observation Period between 27 January and 12 February 2020. Reflectance was measured at snow pits using integrating sphere laser devices IRIS or IceCube.
Use Cases
- Validate remote sensing snow albedo models based on in-situ reflectance profiles.
- Study snow metamorphosis and grain size evolution based on specific surface area measurements.
- Correlate snow microstructure properties with climate variables based on the temporal and geographic scope.
- Develop algorithms for deriving snow properties from optical instruments based on the reflectance-to-SSA derivation method.
Strengths
- Data collection occurred during a defined intensive observation period from 27 January to 12 February 2020.
- Measurements were made using specialized integrating sphere laser devices (IRIS or IceCube).
- Derived properties (SSA, spherical equivalent diameter) are calculated from direct reflectance measurements.
Limitations
- Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
- Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
- Last updated 2020-02-12 23:59:59.999000; freshness should be verified.
Provenance
- Source
- NSIDC_CPRD
- Collection Method
- Reflectance measured at snow pits using integrating sphere laser devices IRIS or IceCube, with SSA and diameter derived from reflectance.
- Time Range
- 27 January 2020 to 12 February 2020
- Geography
- Grand Mesa, Colorado