Validation of snow covered area based on snow product derived from MODIS and AMSR-E in the Heilongjiang Basin

Seasonal snow cover is a key factor highly affecting hydrological processes and climate in Heilongjiang Basin. Optical and microwave (both passive and active) remote sensing have its own advantages and disadvantage for monitoring snow covered areas. In this study, we present the preliminary validation results of snow covered area (SCA) from Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-EOS (AMSR-E) on board Aqua satellite and MODIS on board Terra satellite over the HLB region. The data consist of snow cover and snow water equivalent product for the winters from 2002 to 2007. Additional data include daily maximum and minimum air temperatures, snow cover and snow depth values, and land-cover information were acquired for the validation purpose. Our validation result indicated that AMSR-E snow product tend to underestimate SCA during the snow accumulative period from October to November of the previous year, and melting period start from March to April of next year. However, it showed an inverse trend during the coldest months from December of the previous year to January and February of the next year. Our result also indicated that cloud cover a significant factor affecting snow covered area distribution in our study region.