Data for training AMSR2-CNN and its corresponding machine learning algorithm

Despite the availability of multiple decades of passive microwave measurements from satellite platforms, their utility for developing quantitative, spatially distributed estimates of snowpack is yet to be realized. A major bottleneck is the use of simple conceptual retrieval model formulations that are ineffective in representing the significant heterogeneity and complexity of snow evolution, particularly over areas with complex topography and forest regions. Here we demonstrate a physics-constrained and interpretable Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to learn the functional relationship utilizing multi-channel passive microwave brightness temperature measurements from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2) and in-situ snow depth observations. The machine learning approach with CNN generates vastly improved snow depth estimates relative to the standard AMSR2 estimates. Compared to independent in-situ measurements of snow depth over the Continental United States, the domai..., , ,