A high temporal resolution data set of ERS scatterometer radar backscatter for research in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions

Yongwei Sheng, University of California, Los Angeles
Laurence C. Smith, University of California, Los Angeles
Karen E. Frey, University of California, Los Angeles
Douglas E. Alsdorf, University of California, Los Angeles

Abstract

Radar backscatter in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions is temporally dynamic and reflects changes in sea ice, glacier facies, soil thaw state, vegetation cover, and moisture content. Wind scatterometers on the ERS-1 and ERS-2 satellites have amassed a global archive of C-band radar backscatter data since 1991. This paper derives three high temporal resolution data products from this archive that are designed to facilitate scatterometer research in high-latitude environments. Radar backscatter data have a grid spacing of 25 km and are mapped northwards from 60°N latitude over intervals of one, three, and seven days for the period 1991-2000. Data are corrected to a normalized incident angle of 40°. Animations and full-resolution data products are freely available for scientific use at http://merced.gis.ucla.edu/scatterometer/index.htm.