Passive microwave (SSM/I) satellite predictions of valley glacier hydrology, Matanuska Glacier, Alaska

• Published in: Geophysical research letters Vol. 35; no. 16; pp. L16502 - n/a
• Main Authors: Kopczynski, S., Ramage, J., Lawson, D., Goetz, S., Evenson, E., Denner, J., Larson, G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Geophysical Union 29.08.2008; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Cryosphere; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Glaciers; Remote sensing; Snowmelt; United States; Alaska; USA, Alaska; glaciers; remote sensing; snowmelt; microwaves; satellites; floods; hydrology; accumulation; springs; streams; Speed measurement; inundations; ice; Valley glaciar; North America; trajectory; suspended materials; Atmospheric temperature; brightness temperature; Snow melt; snow; Spring(season); prediction; Timing; melts; Microwave radiometry
• ISSN: 0094-8276; 1944-8007
• DOI: 10.1029/2008GL034615

We advance an approach to use satellite passive microwave observations to track valley glacier snowmelt and predict timing of spring snowmelt‐induced floods at the terminus. Using 37 V GHz brightness temperatures (Tb) from the Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I), we monitor snowmelt onset when both Tb and the difference between the ascending and descending overpasses exceed fixed thresholds established for Matanuska Glacier. Melt is confirmed by ground‐measured air temperature and snow‐wetness, while glacier hydrologic responses are monitored by a stream gauge, suspended‐sediment sensors and terminus ice velocity measurements. Accumulation area snowmelt timing is correlated (R2 = 0.61) to timing of the annual snowmelt flood peak and can be predicted within ±5 days.