Snow Mapping over Eastern Canada for Climate Change Studies Purpose using Historical NOAAAVHRR and SSM/I Data

Two regional snow mapping algorithms were developed and tested over the province of Quebec (Canada).: one using AVHRR imagery and the second using SMM/I data. In order to mitigate the disadvantages related to each type of data, we decided then to develop a merging procedure of the snow mapping results obtained by both sensors. This procedure allows combining the advantages of using both high spatial resolution VIR sensor and a high temporal resolution microwaves sensor. The results of the snow mapping using the merging procedure are then validated using high resolution satellite imagery as well as ground observations of snow depth. The quantitative analysis is conducted on a twenty one major watershed over Quebec. These basins have been selected according to their specific climatic and physiographical characteristics.