New and Updated Data Sets Available Online
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration at the
National Snow and Ice Data Center
For further information, please go to:
http://nsidc.org/noaa/
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration at the National Snow
and Ice Data Center and the World Data Center for Glaciology, Boulder
announce availability of the following data sets:
IMS Daily Northern Hemisphere Snow and Ice Analysis at 4 KM and 24 KM
Resolution
Available at: http://nsidc.org/data/g02156.html
The NOAA Interactive Multisensor Snow and Ice Mapping System (IMS)
became operational in 1997, allowing analysts from the Office of
Satellite Data Processing and Distribution (OSDPD), Satellite Services
Division (SSD), Satellite Analysis Branch (SAB) to produce a daily snow
and ice analysis at 4 km and 24 km resolution. In cooperation with
OSDPD, NSIDC archives and distributes IMS products and image browse
files. Manual analysis of satellite imagery produces the most accurate
snow cover products available on a hemisphere wide scale.
Snow Data Assimilation System (SNODAS) Data Products at NSIDC
Available at: http://nsidc.org/data/g02158.html
In cooperation with the NOAA National Weather Service (NWS) National
Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center (NOHRSC), NSIDC is
providing archive, access, and user support for eight selected SNODAS
fields. SNODAS is a modeling and data assimilation system that provides
the best possible estimates of snow cover and associated variables to
support hydrologic modeling and analysis. The NOHRSC products available
from NSIDC are gridded data sets for the continental United States at 1
km spatial resolution and 24 hour temporal resolution. This product is
unique in terms of its utility for hydrological modeling.
Sea Ice Index
Available at: http://nsidc.org/data/seaice_index/
Beginning in 2002, the September ice extent has fallen about two
standard deviations below the mean for three consecutive years. These
figures are based on the Sea Ice Index time series. The website shows
trends and anomalies in Arctic and Antarctic sea ice, with explanatory
text. It is helpful for researchers seeking to characterize the response
of sea ice to climate, and to users with general questions about ice
conditions. In 2004, work was done to extend the data set by 10 years
while maintaining a consistent record. The Index now spans a change in
passive microwave instrumentation from SMMR (1979-1988) to SSM/I (1988
on). The site was designed to make it easy for both the general public
and scientists to monitor sea ice trends.
Daily Precipitation Sums at Coastal and Island Russian Arctic Stations,
1940-1990
Available at: http://nsidc.org/data/g02164.html
Preparation of this data set was carried out in partnership with
investigators at the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI), St.
Petersburg, Russia. Precipitation data originally recorded in log books
at 65 coastal and island meteorological stations were digitized under
the direction of Vladimir Radionov. Long precipitation data records in
digital form with daily frequency are rare, but are necessary for
efforts such as reanalysis projects.
Morphometric Characteristics of Ice and Snow in the Arctic Basin:
Aircraft Landing Observations from the Former Soviet Union, 1928-1989
Available at: http://nsidc.org/data/g02140.html
Beginning in 1937 and ending in 1993, the High-Latitude Airborne
Expeditions program SEVER collected snow and sea ice data for the AARI.
A selection of data from these and other expeditions was given to NSIDC
by Ilya P. Romanov. These data are a unique contribution to arctic
science. Snow measurements were made in the spring and therefore
represent annual snow accumulation prior to significant summer melt.
Romanov's assessments of area, thickness, and the spatial distribution
of snow contribute information useful for evaluating arctic freshwater
balance. Sea ice thickness data are valuable additions to the limited
and more recent record provided by upward looking sonar.
Online Glacier Photograph Database
Available at: http://nsidc.org/data/g00472.html
Photographs dating from the 1880s selected from NSIDC's large collection
of historical glacier photos are being scanned and made available
through a web searchable interface through a joint NGDC/NSIDC project
funded by NOAA's Climate Database Modernization Program. The photographs
are a record of glacier fluctuations over the years can be used to study
climate change. *****
Airborne Surface Profiling of Alaskan Glaciers
Available at: http://nsidc.org/data/g01378.html
These data, contributed by researchers at the University of Alaska,
Fairbanks, are part of a data set that documents recent changes in
Alaskan glaciers (see Arendt et al., 2002. Rapid Wastage of Alaska
Glaciers and their Contribution to Rising Sea Level. Science,
297:382-386). Data for an additional 26 glaciers were added, doubling
the number in the data set.
Former Soviet Union Hydrological Snow Surveys, 1966-1996
Available at: http://nsidc.org/data/g01170.html
This data set has been extended by five years for 426 of over 1,300
sites.
The NOAA program at NSIDC operates in cooperation with the NOAA National
Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) and the NOAA Arctic Research Office to
extend the NOAA National Data Center's catalog of cryospheric data and
information products. Florence Fetterer manages the project.