VJ110_NRT: Near Real-Time Snow Cover from VIIRS/JPSS1 Satellite

Global snow cover is mapped at a 375-meter resolution using radiance data from the VIIRS instrument on the NOAA-20 (JPSS-1) satellite. The dataset identifies snow using the Normalized Difference Snow Index (NDSI) with quality control screens and is processed in a near real-time (NRT) stream. Data is provided in NetCDF format as 6-minute Level 2 swaths.

Use Cases

• Monitoring seasonal snow extent and melt timing based on the Normalized Difference Snow Index (NDSI).
• Assimilating near real-time snow cover data into hydrological models for runoff prediction.
• Validating and improving snow cover algorithms in climate models using the VIIRS radiance data.
• Supporting operational flood warnings by tracking rapid changes in snow cover from 6-minute swaths.

Strengths

• Provides near real-time (NRT) data, enabling timely monitoring of dynamic snow conditions.
• Offers high spatial resolution (375m) for detailed snow cover mapping.
• Uses a standardized snow identification method (NDSI) with quality control screens.
• Cross-platform presence on NASA Earthdata and Data.gov signals its importance and official status.

Limitations

• Specific column names and dataset size (rows, file size) are not provided in any source, limiting precise technical assessment.
• One source lists a last update date of 2026-04-09, which is a future date and suggests a metadata error or placeholder.
• Documentation is referenced via an external link rather than being directly embedded with the dataset.

Provenance

Source

NASA VIIRS Land (LANCEMODIS), derived from the VIIRS instrument on the NOAA-20 (JPSS-1) satellite.

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing using radiance data processed with the NDSI algorithm and quality screens.

Time Range

null

Freshness

2026-04-09 20:46:59.989591 (Note: This is a future date, likely a metadata placeholder or error.)

Geography

Global (implied from satellite swath data)