Spatial and temporal variations in Antarctic snow particle size identified in AMSR-E 89 GHz data

• Here we use in situ observations to identify spatio-temporal variations of snow particle size in 89 GHz AMSR-E passive microwave satellite imagery. We have correlated high temporal resolution data daily AMSR-E with reference to high spatial resolution Envisat ASAR images to a validation dataset of snow particle size acquired during the Japanese Swedish Antarctic Expedition (JASE) 2007/2008. We have found strong correlations between the 89 GHz AMSR-E data and two different size parameters: particle length and estimated Specific Surface Area (SSA). These correlations have been used to model the grain size variations over the entire region of interest. The daily AMSR-E data have been used to study the evolution of the snowpack over time revealing a seasonal metamorphosis of snow particles at the coast that is largely absent on the polar plateau. Furthermore, the AMSR-E data may exhibit effects from the passing of coastal weather systems on 3-6 day cycles. These effects penetrate to the polar plateau and may represent the drainage of cold air from the plateau drawn-down by passing coastal weather systems.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap -- Naturgeografi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences -- Physical Geography (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Physical Geography

naturgeografi

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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