University of Waterloo
Simulating Terrestrial Snow Mass Mission Measurements: Ku- and L-band Airborne CryoSAR Observations of Seasonal Snow Water Equivalent in Forested Landscapes — The project aims to conduct Ku- and L-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) experiments during the 2026-2028 winter seasons at Forêt Montmorency, QC, to better understand radar responses to seasonal snow changes in forested environments. The main objectives include: collecting polarimetric Ku- and L-band SAR data and detailed measurements of snowpack and forest biophysical properties; developing a comprehensive reference dataset to enhance Terrestrial Snow Mass Mission (TSMM) retrieval methods for forested terrain; and training highly qualified personnel (HQP) in snow, soil, and forest biomass characterization, SAR data processing, and TSMM retrieval approaches. Key deliverables are a robust dataset for TSMM development, improved retrieval techniques for snow mass estimation in forests, and specialized HQP skills in advanced SAR remote sensing and data analysis.