System of Satellite Monitoring of Spring Snowmelt in Kazakhstan

Abstract

Daily NASA product MOD10L2 (snow fraction) and product Snow Depth (USGS/EROS FEWS NET) were used for estimation of snow state in Kazakhstan during 2001-2018 years. The season's monitoring included 61 days, from March 1 to April 30, for MOD10L2 and 120 days, from Juanuary 1 to April 30, for Snow Depth. Each year was characterized by maps of the seasonal maximum snow depth (absolute and relative scales) and calendar dates of spring snowmelt with two separate maps of the snow-line position on March 18-22 and March 29-April 3. This information makes it possible to evaluate the degree of proximity of the 2018 year with previous ones (2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015)(2016)(2017). The 2018 year was extremely without snowy with low expected volumes of spring flood.