The integrated pan-Arctic snow melt onset dataset was generated by combining active and passive microwave satellite derived estimates for northern high latitude land surface, ice caps, large lakes, and sea ice (Wang et al., 2011). This dataset allows snow melt dynamics to be examined in a full pan-Arctic context and enables exploration of interactions between the terrestrial and marine components of the cryosphere. It provides a unique dataset for validating snow cover simulations from regional or global climate models during the spring transition period when snow cover exerts the strongest feedback to the climate system.
The method used to generate the dataset can be found in the following reference:
Wang, L., G. J. Wolken, M. J. Sharp, S. E. L. Howell, C. Derksen, R. D. Brown, T. Markus, and J. Cole (2011), Integrated pan-Arctic melt onset detection from satellite active/passive microwave measurements, 2000-2009, J. Geophys. Res., 116, D22103, doi:10.1029/2011JD016256.