An Analysis of Powder, Hard-Packed, and Wet Snow in High Mountain Areas Based on SAR, Optical Data, and In Situ Data
The following study presents the results obtained from a comparative analysis of dry (powder and hard snow) and wet snow based on satellite data and in situ data methods for monitoring in the high mountain belt of Bulgaria. The aim of the study is to analyze the effectiveness of different spectral i...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| author | Andrey Stoyanov Temenuzhka Spasova Daniela Avetisyan |
| author_facet | Andrey Stoyanov Temenuzhka Spasova Daniela Avetisyan |
| author_sort | Andrey Stoyanov |
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| description | The following study presents the results obtained from a comparative analysis of dry (powder and hard snow) and wet snow based on satellite data and in situ data methods for monitoring in the high mountain belt of Bulgaria. The aim of the study is to analyze the effectiveness of different spectral indices based on satellite data from Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), high-resolution (HR) imagery, and spectrometer data for assessing the state and dynamics of the snow cover. The methods studied and the results obtained were validated by instrument-based field observations, with instruments using thermal imaging cameras, spectrometer measurements, ground control points, and HR imagery. Satellite data offer an ever-widening view of trends in snow distribution over time. All these data combined provide a detailed picture of surface temperature and snow properties, which are crucial for understanding snowmelt processes and the energy balance in the high-altitude belt. The findings suggest that a multi-method approach, utilizing the combined advantages of SAR satellite data, offers the most comprehensive and accurate framework for satellite-based snow cover monitoring in the high mountain regions of Bulgaria, such as Rila Mountain. This integrative strategy not only improves the precision of snow cover estimates but can also support many water resource-related studies, such as snowmelt runoff studies, snow avalanche modeling, and better-informed decisions in the management and maintenance of winter tourism resorts. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c0083abd7d6743b8bf11eedae99edfd8 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2072-4292 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Remote Sensing |
| spelling | doaj-art-c0083abd7d6743b8bf11eedae99edfd82025-08-20T02:31:13ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922025-05-01179164910.3390/rs17091649An Analysis of Powder, Hard-Packed, and Wet Snow in High Mountain Areas Based on SAR, Optical Data, and In Situ DataAndrey Stoyanov0Temenuzhka Spasova1Daniela Avetisyan2Department of Aerospace Information, Space Research and Technology Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Str. “Acad. Georgy Bonchev” Bl. 1, 1113 Sofia, BulgariaDepartment of Aerospace Information, Space Research and Technology Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Str. “Acad. Georgy Bonchev” Bl. 1, 1113 Sofia, BulgariaDepartment of Aerospace Information, Space Research and Technology Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Str. “Acad. Georgy Bonchev” Bl. 1, 1113 Sofia, BulgariaThe following study presents the results obtained from a comparative analysis of dry (powder and hard snow) and wet snow based on satellite data and in situ data methods for monitoring in the high mountain belt of Bulgaria. The aim of the study is to analyze the effectiveness of different spectral indices based on satellite data from Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), high-resolution (HR) imagery, and spectrometer data for assessing the state and dynamics of the snow cover. The methods studied and the results obtained were validated by instrument-based field observations, with instruments using thermal imaging cameras, spectrometer measurements, ground control points, and HR imagery. Satellite data offer an ever-widening view of trends in snow distribution over time. All these data combined provide a detailed picture of surface temperature and snow properties, which are crucial for understanding snowmelt processes and the energy balance in the high-altitude belt. The findings suggest that a multi-method approach, utilizing the combined advantages of SAR satellite data, offers the most comprehensive and accurate framework for satellite-based snow cover monitoring in the high mountain regions of Bulgaria, such as Rila Mountain. This integrative strategy not only improves the precision of snow cover estimates but can also support many water resource-related studies, such as snowmelt runoff studies, snow avalanche modeling, and better-informed decisions in the management and maintenance of winter tourism resorts.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/9/1649SAR datasnow cover monitoringthermal cameraspectrometerhigh-resolution (HR) imagery |
| spellingShingle | Andrey Stoyanov Temenuzhka Spasova Daniela Avetisyan An Analysis of Powder, Hard-Packed, and Wet Snow in High Mountain Areas Based on SAR, Optical Data, and In Situ Data Remote Sensing SAR data snow cover monitoring thermal camera spectrometer high-resolution (HR) imagery |
| title | An Analysis of Powder, Hard-Packed, and Wet Snow in High Mountain Areas Based on SAR, Optical Data, and In Situ Data |
| title_full | An Analysis of Powder, Hard-Packed, and Wet Snow in High Mountain Areas Based on SAR, Optical Data, and In Situ Data |
| title_fullStr | An Analysis of Powder, Hard-Packed, and Wet Snow in High Mountain Areas Based on SAR, Optical Data, and In Situ Data |
| title_full_unstemmed | An Analysis of Powder, Hard-Packed, and Wet Snow in High Mountain Areas Based on SAR, Optical Data, and In Situ Data |
| title_short | An Analysis of Powder, Hard-Packed, and Wet Snow in High Mountain Areas Based on SAR, Optical Data, and In Situ Data |
| title_sort | analysis of powder hard packed and wet snow in high mountain areas based on sar optical data and in situ data |
| topic | SAR data snow cover monitoring thermal camera spectrometer high-resolution (HR) imagery |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/9/1649 |
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