Effect of Cloud Mask on the Consistency of Snow Cover Products from MODIS and VIIRS

Snow cover has significant impacts on the global water cycle, ecosystem, and climate change. At present, satellite remote sensing is regarded as most efficient approach to detect long-term multiscale observations of snow extent. The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) sensor onboard Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) satellites will replace Moderate-Resolution Spectroradiometer (MODIS) prolong data recording in future. Therefore, it a fundamental task analyze evaluate consistency products retrieved from these two sensors. In this study, we performed comparisons evaluation between MODIS VIIRS three major distribution regions China: Northeast China (NE), Northwest (NW) Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QT). results demonstrated that (1) normalized difference index (NDSI)-derived showed suitable under clear sky conditions, with mean value less than 5%; (2) product presented much more fewer clouds season due differences cloud-masking algorithms; (3) cloud mask strongly affects potential observation, presents seasonal pattern test regions; (4) able distinguish greater accuracy. indicated cover, poorer agreement cover. This implies perfecting algorithm update would be best solution achieve better for high-quality products.