Estimation of the beginning of snow melt period using SSM/I data

In this paper an empirical algorithm for the estimation of the time of increased free liquid water content in snowpack has been assembled and tested using SSM/I data. The algorithm is based on employment of the microwave radiometer channel differences together with the hydrological model-based estimated temperature of the target. The obtained results show that the progress of snow melt can be monitored using space-scale radiometer observations when ground is covered by a thick snowpack.