This project is funded by the NOAA Arctic Research Program and the NOAA National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, National Geophysical Data Center

Objective

To a ssess what data are relevant to SEARCH reanalysis and change detection activities, and, where possible, facilitated access to the data

Collaborators

Florence Fetterer, Ken Knowles (sea ice index), Mark Parsons (soil temperature), Bruce Raup (melt onset and precipitation), and Matt Savoie (NDVI and melt onset)

Project Summary

"Unaami," the changes in the Arctic that are the subject of the Study of Environmental Arctic Change (SEARCH) program, became apparent to researchers in the context of long-term and pan-Arctic observations. The first phase of our work assessed what data are relevant to SEARCH reanalysis and change detection activities, and, where possible, facilitated access to the data. Our major accomplishments were to research sources and characteristics of precipitation data sets, culminating in the publication of two new precipitation data sets. These are particularly important for the Arctic reanalysis. Beginning in 2004, we moved on to the development of cryospheric climate indicators Web site.

These are a suite of data records presented in a way to highlight temporal and spatial changes by showing time series, trends, anomalies, and basic statistics, along with interpretative text that can be understood by the general public. In 2004 the soil temperature indicator was developed with time series and temperature profiles from locations in Alaska and Russia. We began testing an algorithm that determines yearly melt onset day (north of tree line) from passive microwave. MODIS and AVHRR Pathfinder data sets were acquired and testing began on a NDVI or "greenness" indicator site. The Sea Ice Index, upon which the Indicator concept is modeled, was extended by 10 years, resulting in trends with greater significance.

We presented progress in a poster presentation (Raup et al.) at the January 2005 AMS meeting. Work in 2005 will focus on validating the melt onset indicator algorithm, completing the greenness indicator, and planning for the continuing update of all indicator time series.

Trends in melt onset day (MOD) from an early version of the MOD algorithm, using SSM/I data (1988 to 2000). Blue represents later melt onset and red represents earlier onset. Algorithm validation is underway.

Related Resources

For more information, visit the Cryospheric Climate Indicators in the Arctic Web site.

Disclaimer: This internet site was prepared by the National Snow and Ice Data Center, part of the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), with support in part from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, under cooperative agreement NA17RJ1229 and other grants. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or the Department of Commerce.

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