Get Data

Download

DOWNLOADING DATA VIA FTP

Data can be downloaded through a Web browser or command line via FTP. When using a Web browser, the FTP link first directs you to an Optional Registration Form that if filled out, will allow you to receive notifications about updates or processing changes related to that specific data set. After completing the Optional Registration Form, the FTP directory becomes available. For additional help downloading data through an FTP client, go to the How to access data using an FTP client support page.

FTP
Data Set ID:
G02131

Reconstructed North American, Eurasian, and Northern Hemisphere Snow Cover Extent, 1915-1997, Version 1

This data set contains time series of monthly snow cover extent (SCE) for North America, Eurasia, and the Northern Hemisphere from 1915 to 1997, based on snow cover reconstruction and NOAA satellite data. The reconstruction method used in situ snow depth and daily climate data from the U.S.A., Canada, China, and the former Soviet Union to generate a monthly snow cover index, which was found to be closely related to satellite-derived estimates of SCE in certain months. Brown (2000) describes the method, which is considered to be more robust than SCE reconstruction based on statistical methods (see Brown, 1997; Frei et al., 1999).

In addition, the data set contains time series of annual variation in areally-averaged monthly snow depth and (SWE) for the North American grid domain used to derive the snow cover index. These provide additional insights into secular changes in snow cover over North America since SCE and depth variations are not always positively correlated.

Data are available via FTP.

Geographic Coverage

Parameter(s):
  • Snow/Ice > Snow Cover > Snow Extent
Spatial Coverage:

  • N: 90, S: 0, E: 180, W: -180
Spatial Resolution: Not Specified
Temporal Coverage:
  • 1 January 1915 to 31 December 1997
Temporal Resolution: Not specified
Data Format(s):
  • ASCII Text
Platform(s) NOAA-4
Sensor(s): VHRR
Version: V1
Data Contributor(s): Ross Brown
Metadata XML: View Metadata Record
Data Citation

As a condition of using these data, you must cite the use of this data set using the following citation. For more information, see our Use and Copyright Web page.

Brown, R. D. 2002. Reconstructed North American, Eurasian, and Northern Hemisphere Snow Cover Extent, 1915-1997, Version 1. [Indicate subset used]. Boulder, Colorado USA. NSIDC: National Snow and Ice Data Center. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.7265/N5V985Z6. [Date Accessed].
No technical references available for this data set.
No FAQs or How Tos available for this data set.

Access complete Knowledge Base

Questions? Please contact:
NSIDC User Services
Phone: 1 303 492-6199
Email: nsidc@nsidc.org