Research Projects

Snow cover extent is one of the Essential Climate Variable (ECV). Snow cover and related parameters (Snow Depth and Snow Water Equivalent) are critical inputs for snowmelt runoff estimation. Operational retrieval of SD and SWE at medium-fine resolution scale enhances the accuracy of the snowmelt runoff quantification and forecasting. SD andSWE products (~25km resolution) are currently generated from passive microwave sensors such as AMSR2 (G-COM) at global level. The study proposes to develop an operational algorithm for snow parameters retrieval over Indian Himalayan region. Using passive MW data. Further, downscaling algorithms will be developed to generate medium to fine (5km to 1km) resolution products integrating terrain characteristics from DEM, Snow persistence, etc. calibration and validation protocols will be developed.