NASA's Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO) is collaborating with the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, to enhance snowmelt forecasting through the development of SNOWWI, a dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar system. This technology aims to improve global snowpack measurements, addressing a significant gap in current data collection.
In January and March 2024, the research team conducted the first test flights over Grand Mesa, Colorado. These tests marked a pivotal transition from laboratory hardware to a functional tool capable of generating meaningful data. Paul Siqueira, the principal investigator for SNOWWI, noted, "We've gone from pieces of hardware in a lab to something that makes meaningful data."
SNOWWI, which stands for Snow Water-equivalent Wide Swath Interferometer and Scatterometer, employs two Ku-band radar signals. The high-frequency signal interacts with snow grains, providing detailed structural information, while the low-frequency signal penetrates the snowpack to assess depth. This dual-frequency approach allows for a more nuanced understanding of snowpack characteristics.
Operating from an altitude of 2.5 miles (4 kilometers), SNOWWI can map approximately 40 square miles (100 square kilometers) of snow-covered terrain in just half an hour. Future plans include developing a satellite-ready version of SNOWWI in collaboration with Capella Space.
Further testing is scheduled in Idaho's mountainous regions to evaluate SNOWWI's performance in more complex landscapes. Derksen, a glaciologist involved in the project, highlighted the instrument's economic importance, stating, "Snowmelt is money. It has intrinsic economic value." He emphasized that effective monitoring of snowmelt is crucial for managing water resources and supporting ecosystems.