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Earth Observing Laboratory
Field Data Archive

Global Snow-Water-Equivalent Depth Coefficient-of-Variation Classification

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Summary

This data set provides a global distribution of nine subgrid snow-depth-variability categories and a coefficient of variation applicable to each category, as the result of the Subgrid SNOW Distribution (SSNOWD) submodel that defines subgrid snow-depth and snow-cover variability. This data set provides the distribution of those nine categories and their coefficient-of-variation values on a global, 2.5 arc-min latitude-longitude (approximately 5-km) grid. The time period covered is 1 January 1994 through 1 January 2004. The SSNOWD submodel was formulated to improve the depiction of autumn through spring land-atmosphere interactions and feedbacks within global weather, climate, and hydrologic models. From both atmospheric and hydrologic perspectives, the subgrid snow-depth distribution is an important quantity to account for within large-scale models. In the natural system, these subgrid snow-depth distributions are largely responsible for the mosaic of snow-covered and snow-free areas that develop as the snow melts, and the impacts of these fractional areas must be quantified in order to realistically simulate grid-averaged surface fluxes. SSNOWD's formulation incorporates observational studies showing that snow distributions can be described by a lognormal distribution and the snow-depth coefficient-of-variation (CV). Using an understanding of the physical processes that lead to these observed snow-depth variations, a global distribution of nine subgrid snow-depth-variability categories was developed, and coefficient-of-variation values were assigned to each category based on published measurements. Data are in binary format.

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Additional information

Identifier
Versions
  • 1.0 (2009-04-10)
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Related projects
Spatial Type grid
Language English
Grant Code 9415386, 0229973, 9732077
ISO Topic Categories
  • climatologyMeteorologyAtmosphere
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GCMD Science Keywords Expand keywords
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Temporal coverage

Begin datetime 1994-01-01 00:00:00
End datetime 2004-01-01 23:59:59

Spatial coverage


Map data from IBCSO, IBCAO, and Global Topography.

Maximum (North) Latitude: 90.00, Minimum (South) Latitude: -90.00
Minimum (West) Longitude: -180.00, Maximum (East) Longitude: 180.00

Primary point of contact information

Glen E. Liston <liston@cira.colostate.edu>

Additional contact information

Citation

Liston, G. 2009. Global Snow-Water-Equivalent Depth Coefficient-of-Variation Classification. Version 1.0. UCAR/NCAR - Earth Observing Laboratory. https://doi.org/10.5065/D6GF0RMX. Accessed 24 Dec 2024.

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NSF

This material is based upon work supported by the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research, a major facility sponsored by the U.S. National Science Foundation and managed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. National Science Foundation.