Estimation of snow cover area and land surface temperature using MODIS satellite (A case study of Golestan watershed)

A considerable part of precipitation falls in the form of snow in Golestan watershed. In turn, snowmelt plays a significant role in surface runoff, groundwater feeding and flood propagation in this area. Snow Cover Area (SCA) as an indicator of stored water can be implemented for temporal and spatial monitoring of snowmelt in the hydrological models. To monitor spatial and temporal variation of snow cover area in Golestan watershed, snow product of MODIS satellite data (MOD10A2) in 9-year steps were retrieved for the period of 2000 to 2008. In addition, satellite products of Land Surface Temperature (LST) (MOD11A) were also acquired on corresponding dates. Using long term LST and SCA data, and a threshold method, areas with high probability of snowfall were classified. The results indicated that high temporal and spatial resolution MODIS satellite data has a high potential in the mapping of snow covered area.