Satellite Monitoring of Snow Extent and Condition in Agricultural, Transitional, and Forested Land Cover Areas

摘要

GOES and TIROS-N/NOAA-6 satellite data were evaluated both visually and digitally to assess their potential for aiding the process of state-wide snow extent mapping in Minnesota. This state contains a geographic continuum spanning from a large open-agricultural area, through a partially forested transitional zone, to a heavily forested area. The ability to discriminate snow extent statewide was found to be influenced strongly by the data of sensing and the cover types involved.