Seasonal Snow Melting Process Investigation in Polar Environment Using a Dual-Receiver Radar Architecture

With the arrival of spring and the rise in temperatures, seasonal snow coverage starts its melting process and undergoes significant metamorphic changes. Daily monitoring can help to improve the knowledge about this process. Field investigations conducted over a 15-day period in the polar station of Sodankyl-Tahtela Finland, utilizing the SNOWAVE system, a dual-receiver multiband and portable radar system in direct contact with the snow surface, revealed substantial day-to-day variations during the spring period. Through meticulous analysis of radar traces, researchers can discern trends in snow depth, density, and liquid water content in response to temperature fluctuations throughout this extended period. The paper presents the outcomes of this field campaign, demonstrating the possibility of employing innovative technologies for a monitoring throughout the snow melting process.