Summary
The report "In-situ Snow Data Inventory for Arctic and Antarctic Regions" documents the findings of a 2024 survey and related research aimed at cataloging in-situ snow data across polar regions to support the European Union’s Copernicus Programme. It highlights the critical role of in-situ snow measurements—such as snow depth, density, and Snow Water Equivalent (SWE)—for understanding climate change in the Arctic and Antarctic. The study surveyed 22 institutions, gathering 42 datasets, and reviewed numerous data portals to identify additional resources. Most data originate from ground-based measurements, with varying temporal and spatial coverage. The findings emphasize challenges in polar data collection and the importance of leveraging these datasets for climate modeling, satellite validation, and environmental monitoring. Recommendations include enhancing accessibility, integrating underused datasets, and improving collaborations between data providers and research initiatives. The report is accompanied by an excel sheet providing specific details related to the snow data inventory and portals analysed.
The report is part of the activities of the Thematic Network on Nordic Snow Network (NordSnowNet).
Download the report here.