An enhanced method for Snow-Covered Area (SCA) estimation for boreal forest zone is presented. The method combines TKK developed spaceborne radar-based SCA estimation with ground-based weather station observations. The purpose is to improve the reliability of SCA estimates near and after the end of snow-melt season. The SCA estimates acquired with the enhanced method are compared with optical satellite data-based (MODIS) SCA data. Investigations were carried out for snow-melt seasons of 2004–2006. The results show a significant increase in accuracy when the enhanced SCA method is applied. Correlation between the radar-based and optical reference data increases from 0.919 to 0.937 and RMS-error improves from 0.151 to 0.140 when the new method is employed. Keywords-remote sensing of snow cover, snow covered area, river discharge forecasting.
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