Passive microwave (SSM/I) satellite predictions of valley glacier hydrology, Matanuska Glacier, Alaska

S.E. Kopczynski; J. Ramage; D. Lawson; S. Goetz; E. Evenson; J. Denner; G. Larson

doi:10.1029/2008gl034615

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Passive microwave (SSM/I) satellite predictions of valley glacier hydrology, Matanuska Glacier, Alaska

S.E. Kopczynski·J. Ramage·D. Lawson·S. Goetz·E. Evenson·J. Denner·G. Larson

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Abstract

We advance an approach to use satellite passive microwave observations to track valley glacier snowmelt and predict timing of spring snowmelt-induced floods at the terminus. Using 37 V GHz brightness temperatures (Tb) from the Special Sensor Microwave hnager (SSM/I), we monitor snowmelt onset when both Tb and the difference between the ascending and descending overpasses exceed fixed thresholds established for Matanuska Glacier. Melt is confirmed by ground-measured air temperature and snow-wetness, while glacier hydrologic responses are monitored by a stream gauge, suspended-sediment sensors and terminus ice velocity measurements. Accumulation area snowmelt timing is correlated (R2 = 0.61) to timing of the annual snowmelt flood peak and can be predicted within ??5 days. Copyright 2008 by the American Geophysical Union.

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S.E. Kopczynski, J. Ramage, D. Lawson, S. Goetz, E. Evenson, J. Denner, G. Larson. 2008-08-29. Passive microwave (SSM/I) satellite predictions of valley glacier hydrology, Matanuska Glacier, Alaska. https://doi.org/10.1029/2008gl034615

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