Using SWOT KaRIn Backscatter and SMRT Modeling to Link Snow Properties with Melt‑Driven Water Level

This study investigates the potential of the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission to contribute to the study of snow cover and its hydrological impacts. Preliminary results indicate promising capabilities for detecting and potentially characterizing snow covers. This additional information can help interpret water‑level variations that are directly influenced by snow quantity and snowmelt processes in northern regions during the spring melt season. To better understand the behavior of the KaRIn backscatter signal over snow, in situ observations, reanalysis products, and modelled backscatter data generated with the Snow Microwave Radiative Transfer (SMRT) model are compared with SWOT measurements. This integrated analysis allows us to examine both the sensitivity of KaRIn to snow cover and the associated SWOT‑derived water‑elevation changes. Overall, this work contributes to ongoing efforts aimed at advancing the remote sensing of snow properties—such as snow water equivalent—and improving our ability to link snowpack evolution with hydrological responses.