Sovremennye problemy distantsionnogo zondirovaniya Zemli iz kosmosa, 2010, Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 77-83
Development of Methods for Assimilation of Satellite Information
about Snow Cover Characteristics in Snowpack Formation and Melt
Models (on Example of Area in Forest-Steppe Zone of Central Russia)
Water Problems Institute of RAS, 117312 Moscow, 3 Gubkin st
The technique of construction of spatial fields of snow cover characteristics for large regions has been developed
which is based on combined usage of physically based model of snowpack formation and melt developed in WPI
RAS, satellite measurements of land surface and available ground based meteorological measurements. The technique
has been verified by the example of the large region located in forest-steppe zone of European part of Russia
and containing a part of Don river watershed. By means of the suggested technique spatial dynamics of snow covered
area and snow water equivalent (SWE) during the spring melt periods of 2002-2004 have been simulated. Accuracy
of simulated fields has showed that the developed technique is applicable on vast plain areas with rare
ground based measurements.
Keywords: snow accumulation, snow melt, satellite data, snow covered area, snow water equivalent
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