Estimating snow water equivalent using combined remote sensing measurements and a snow hydrology model

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Snow water storage is a key part of the water cycle. Estimating the volume of seasonal snow water storage has been attempted using satellite remote sensing and physically-based numerical models. However, uncertainties from satellite observations can be great, especially at the local scale, and hydrology models rely on meteorological measurements which are often not available in remote locations. This proposal seeks to combine satellite remote sensing measurements with a hydrological model to assess the use of remote sensing observations for augmenting model estimates in remote locations. The project will combine three snow measurements from three different remote sensing systems to produce a blended snow water equivalent (SWE) data set. Then, by installing two weather stations locally that can measure environmental variables at two local sites a hydrologic model capable of simulating seasonal snow water storage will be run. The model will also be run using coarse scale regional climate model input data from the Canadian Regional Climate Model (CRCM) at Environment Canada. This will enable comparison between the model SWE estimates at the field sites as a function of the two types of input data. Then the project will assess how remote sensing estimates can improve the model using a data assimilation method, especially when run with the CRCM. Snow surveys conducted during the winter seasons will form an integral part of this proposal and will facilitate testing of the remote sensing and model SWE estimates.