Xu (2026) Estimating snow cover extent from satellite

Identification

• Journal: Elsevier eBooks
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-01-01
• Authors: Hao Xu
• DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-85242-5.00080-4

Research Groups

• Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science and Frozen Soil Engineering, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China

Short Summary

This paper provides a thorough review of observation data, algorithms, and products used for estimating snow cover extent (SCE) from satellite optical remote sensing, highlighting persistent challenges such as complex surface conditions and cloud-snow confusion.

Objective

• To thoroughly review the observation data, algorithms, and products used for retrieving snow cover extent (SCE) from satellite optical remote sensing, including binary and fractional snow cover, and to address existing issues and limitations in the field.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Global and regional
• Temporal Scale: Long time series

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Review of various retrieval algorithms for binary and fractional snow cover extent (e.g., spectral unmixing, machine learning approaches, etc., though specific model names are not detailed in the provided text).
• Data sources: Satellite optical remote sensing products (e.g., MODIS, Landsat, etc., though specific satellite names are not detailed in the provided text), observation data.

Main Results

• The paper synthesizes the basic data sources, retrieval algorithms, and products for both binary and fractional snow cover extent.
• It details the advantages, disadvantages, and applicability of various snow retrieval methods and products.
• A consistent challenge in snow cover retrieval is identified as the complex Earth surface and the problem of cloud-snow confusion.

Contributions

• Provides a comprehensive review and synthesis of the current state-of-the-art in optical remote sensing for snow cover extent, encompassing both binary and fractional products.
• Offers a critical analysis of persistent challenges and limitations in snow cover retrieval, particularly concerning complex surface conditions and cloud-snow confusion.

Funding

• Not specified in the provided text.

Citation

@article{Xu2026Estimating,
  author = {Xu, Hao},
  title = {Estimating snow cover extent from satellite},
  journal = {Elsevier eBooks},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1016/b978-0-323-85242-5.00080-4},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-323-85242-5.00080-4}
}