Publications

Wang, QX; Ma, YG; Xu, ZL; Li, JL (2025). Accuracy assessment of cloud removal methods for Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) snow data in the Tianshan Mountains, China. JOURNAL OF ARID LAND, 17(4), 457-480.

Abstract
Snow cover plays a critical role in global climate regulation and hydrological processes. Accurate monitoring is essential for understanding snow distribution patterns, managing water resources, and assessing the impacts of climate change. Remote sensing has become a vital tool for snow monitoring, with the widely used Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) snow products from the Terra and Aqua satellites. However, cloud cover often interferes with snow detection, making cloud removal techniques crucial for reliable snow product generation. This study evaluated the accuracy of four MODIS snow cover datasets generated through different cloud removal algorithms. Using real-time field camera observations from four stations in the Tianshan Mountains, China, this study assessed the performance of these datasets during three distinct snow periods: the snow accumulation period (September-November), snowmelt period (March-June), and stable snow period (December-February in the following year). The findings showed that cloud-free snow products generated using the Hidden Markov Random Field (HMRF) algorithm consistently outperformed the others, particularly under cloud cover, while cloud-free snow products using near-day synthesis and the spatiotemporal adaptive fusion method with error correction (STAR) demonstrated varying performance depending on terrain complexity and cloud conditions. This study highlighted the importance of considering terrain features, land cover types, and snow dynamics when selecting cloud removal methods, particularly in areas with rapid snow accumulation and melting. The results suggested that future research should focus on improving cloud removal algorithms through the integration of machine learning, multi-source data fusion, and advanced remote sensing technologies. By expanding validation efforts and refining cloud removal strategies, more accurate and reliable snow products can be developed, contributing to enhanced snow monitoring and better management of water resources in alpine and arid areas.

DOI:
10.1007/s40333-025-0098-3

ISSN:
2194-7783