authority: gcos
slug: snow
name: Snow
domain: land
subdomain: cryosphere
authority_id: gcos:snow
external_ids:
  nvs_uri: null
  cf_standard_name: surface_snow_amount
  iadopt_concepts:
    property: water-equivalent
    entity: snowpack
canonical_units: kg m-2
gcos_requirement_tier:
  threshold: null
  breakthrough: null
  goal: null
description: |
  Snow cover extent, snow depth and snow water equivalent (SWE) from
  passive microwave, optical satellites (MODIS, VIIRS) and in-situ networks
  (SNOTEL, GHCN). Headline indicator of Northern Hemisphere winter climate.
theme: cryosphere
demos: []
status: documented
sources:
  - https://gcos.wmo.int/site/global-climate-observing-system-gcos/essential-climate-variables/snow