Snow cover extent from 1982 to present derived from satellite observations

This dataset provides daily estimates of snow-covered land areas obtained from observations collected by multiple optical satellite instruments. As snow cover plays a crucial role in weather and climate, this data is particularly valuable for monitoring, estimating and assessing relevant changes.
It provides Level 3 collated (L3C) processed products, namely global daily single-sensor Snow cover fraction viewable (SCFV) and Snow cover fraction on ground (SCFG) products, both of which are based on optical satellite data.
The retrieval method is developed in the European Space Agency (ESA) Climate Change Initiative for Snow. The data is in line with the “Systematic observation requirements for satellite-based products for climate” as defined by Global Climate Observing System (GCOS).
The dataset provides two snow cover extent products, which are homogenized in non-forested areas, but provide different thematic snow information in forested areas:
- SCFV provides the snow cover as observable from the satellite sensor in forested areas.
- SCFG provides an estimate of the snow cover fraction on the ground in forested areas by applying a correction for the masking effect of the forest canopy.
These products are available as Climate Data Records (CDRs), which have sufficient length, consistency and continuity to detect climate variability and change. Interim CDRs (ICDRs) are produced on behalf of the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) with the same software and algorithms to extend the baseline CDRs.
This dataset is produced on behalf of C3S by ENVEO IT GmbH, except for Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) based snow cover extent products which were produced in the ESA Climate Change Initiative Snow project by ENVEO IT GmbH.