Author(s): Adrian Subias Martin; Victor Herraiz-Lopez; Inigo Salinas; Rafael Alonso
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Attenuation; Rainfall; Snow depth; Snowfall; Snowpack
Abstract: This study presents a qualitative analysis of snowpack evolution using a ground-based wideband stepped-frequency continuous-wave (SFCW) radar operating between 0.6 and 6 GHz. The system monitors the reflectometric response of a multilayer snowpack over time, capturing patterns associated with different meteorological events. By analyzing changes in the amplitude of the peaks in the Inverse Fourier Transform (IFT) of the signal, key stratigraphic boundaries can be identified. Snowfall events produce a gradual accumulation in the snowpack, reflected in progressive changes in the radar response, while rainfall modifies the snowpack differently, affecting the radar signal in ways that indicate the presence of liquid water. These contrasting patterns in the temporal evolution of the radar measurements allow differentiation between solid and liquid precipitation events without requiring detailed layer-by-layer analysis. This approach demonstrates the potential of SFCW radar as a non-invasive tool to monitor snow hydrodynamics, assessing precipitation dynamics and providing valuable indicators of winter water availability and climate change impacts.
Year: 2026