2.1.10 Remote sensing and monthly snowpack observations
How do we know how much of the world is covered in snow or where the deepest snowpacks are located? While snowpack measurements taken at particular sites provide point-specific data, satellite observations provide global information about snowpack and have revolutionized snowpack assessment on a global scale. For example, they enable us to observe and quantify the percentage of land covered with snow as well as snowpack depths and temperatures around the world.
This satellite product shows snow coverage for the Northern Hemisphere in February 2009. For latitudes higher than 40° to 50°, we see that much of the land surface is covered with snow, which is typical for midwinter continental conditions.
