Science of Snow - National Snow and Ice Data Center
Science. For snow to fall, moisture must be present in the atmosphere. Snowstorms also rely heavily on temperature, but not necessarily the temperature we feel on the ground. Snow forms when the atmospheric temperature is at or below freezing (0°C or 32°F). If the ground temperature is at or below freezing, the snow will reach the ground.
Arctic Weather and Climate | National Snow and Ice Data Center
Near the ocean, a maritime climate prevails. In coastal Alaska, along with Iceland and Scandinavia, the winters are stormy and wet, with snow and rainfall reaching 60 centimeters (24 inches) to 125 centimeters (49 inches) each year. Summers in the coastal regions tend to be cool and cloudy; average temperatures hover around 10 °C (50 °F).
Glacier Quick Facts - National Snow and Ice Data Center
A glacier is an accumulation of ice and snow that slowly flows over land. Alpine glaciers are frozen rivers of ice, slowly flowing under their own weight down mountainsides and into valleys. Ice sheets exist only on Greenland and Antarctica, and they spread out in broad domes in multiple directions. A group of people explore the Perito Moreno ...
Learn - National Snow and Ice Data Center
Witness the beauty of Earth's disappearing features, captured by NSIDC staff and partners. Quick facts, basic science, and information about snow, ice, and why the cryosphere matters The cryosphere includes all of the snow and ice-covered regions across the planet.
Sea Ice Today - National Snow and Ice Data Center
Nov 4, 2024 · Sea Ice Today began as a way to make sea ice science and analysis more relevant and accessible. In combination, NASA data and NSIDC expertise provide easy-to-use resources and tools to increase our understanding of climate change in the Arctic. Since 2007, this site has been a go-to source for blog-like insights, analysis, and data ...
Homepage | National Snow and Ice Data Center
Glaciers are huge masses of ice, snow, rock, sediment, and often liquid water that originate on land and move down slope under the influence of their own weight and gravity. The two main types are continental glaciers (or ice sheets) and alpine glaciers. Ice sheets are masses of glacial land ice extending more than 50,000 square kilometers ...
Our Research | National Snow and Ice Data Center
Areas of research. From the physical sciences to the social sciences, NSIDC scientists work on a diverse mixture of research projects that focus on various aspects of the cryosphere and how it impacts society, including snow, glaciers, ice caps, ice sheets, sea ice, permafrost, and more. These research projects take place across the cryosphere ...
Science of Sea Ice - National Snow and Ice Data Center
Science. Sea ice is classified by stages of development that relate to thickness and age. A simple classification categorizes sea ice into two primary age groups: first-year or multiyear. First-year ice has existed only since the end of the previous summer melt season; multiyear ice has survived at least one summer melt season.
Explore Data - National Snow and Ice Data Center
Snow cover, sea ice cover, and sea ice temperature data collected by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) sensor. The VIIRS instrument, a scanning radiometer, acquires visible and infrared imagery and radiometric measurements of Earth’s landmasses and oceans. Data coverage from VIIRS began in 2012 and runs to the present day.
Visualize Data - National Snow and Ice Data Center
Visualize NSIDC data in a particular region or explore various geophysical measurements of the cryosphere with the featured tools below. These tools are very popular among scientists, journalists, policymakers, and the general public alike, as they offer the best way to observe just some of the information that can be gained from the use of NSIDC data – without having to …