Enhanced-Resolution AMSR2 Sea Ice Concentration Products for Operational Use

Satellite microwave radiometers have a well-known advantage over satellite optical sensors by observing sea ice through most clouds, but they suffer from coarse spatial resolution. However, recent advancements in increasing the spatial resolution of these measurements has increased their utility, especially in operational environments. For example, forecasters and ice analysts at the Alaska Sea Ice Program (ASIP) and the US National Ice Center (NIC) are currently using enhanced-resolution imagery from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-2 (AMSR2) in operations. In addition to its greater spatial resolution, users have found the new AMSR2 imagery to be especially useful for filling in gaps in space and time when high-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery is unavailable.

In this work, supported by the JPSS Proving Ground and Risk Reduction Program, we highlight new enhanced-resolution (6.25 km) sea ice concentration (SIC) products derived from enhanced AMSR2 imagery. We will describe how forecasters and ice analysts are using these new products and contrast them with the legacy NOAA SIC products. We also provide an initial assessment of these products through comparisons to Landsat observations of sea ice.