Satellite Observations of Variations in Southern Hemisphere Snow Cover

摘要

Northern Hemisphere snow cover is currently digitized on an operational basis. Therefore, a research effort was initiated to investigate the extent and variation in Southern Hemisphere snow cover. The synoptic climatology of Southern Hemisphere snow cover was examined and it was concluded that there should be sufficient amounts of snow to warrant satellite monitoring. Defense Military Satellite Program (DMSP) imagery was analyzed and weekly snow cover maps were generated for the period 1974 through 1980. The snow cover of Australia, New Zealand, and Africa was too infrequent. Therefore, only South American snow cover was digitized and analyzed through the creation of several 7-year snow cover climatologies.