SnowSense®
Integrated Solution for Snow Monitoring, Runoff and Hydropower Forecast
Sales & Contact
VISTA GmbHQuestions and Requests
Please contact us at:
snowsense@vista-geo.de
Tel. +49 89 4521 614 15
We are using In-Situ Snow Monitoring, Earth Observation and Model Techniques as innovative solution for the assessment of snow cover, the amount of water stored in it, its potential for energy production and the related risk of flood events.
Our Solution provides:
- Detailed and up-to-data knowledge about the water stored as snow
- Run-off and reservoir status of a catchment, for all locations and time steps – including forecast options
- End-to-end service chains in all regions
- Design for remote or mountainous regions
- Modularity to enhance existing solutions
We are addressing:
- Hydropower Producers and Traders
- Flood Forecasting and Public Safety Authorities
- Environmental Monitoring and Scientific Institutes
- Meteorology and Hydro-Industry Partners
SnowSense Station
Novel GNSS based in-situ hardware
The key element of SnowSense® is the measurement of the Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) and the Liquid Water Content (LWC) of snow at any requested locations by a novel GNSS based solution. SWE (in mm) and LWC (in Vol.%) can be retrieved several times a day. All stations are pre-processing the data and transfer the measurements via satellite communication or cellular networks (optional). Access to the data via webservice. The stations operate autonomously, with an integrated solar-power supply and satellite-based communication and can be set up permanently or temporary, they may be removed during summer months. The Station is easy to transport and to install.
Station Product Sheet
SnowSense Service
Snow Cover Modelling Service
To provide spatial and temporal continuous information on the snow cover, the water balance is calculated using meteorological inputs and the parameters of the land surface by a physically model (PROMET). Meteo-model inputs / Numerical Weather Prediction NWP input enable weather station independent calculations and forecasts. The direct snow measurements from the SnowSense® In-Situ stations and satellite derived spatial snow information are assimilated for exact and reliable results. Calculation of the run-off and aggregated products of hydro-power potential and forecast is optional. Due to the unique concept of the stations and the model, all catchments and regions can be monitored. Transferable and scalable model approach provides large flexibility in performance and products.
Service Product Sheet
SnowSense at a glance (PDF)
(1 MB)
SnowSense at a glance (VIDEO)
The key element of SnowSense is the capability to measure the snow water equivalent (SWE) at all requested locations by an novel, superioir, GNSS based solution. The SWE [mm] can be retrieved in continously (requiring permanent power supply) or on a daily basis (common for hydrological users) – using energy-efficient measurement cycles. All stations are pre-processing the data and transfer the measurements via satellite communication infrastructure, and can be set up permanently or temporally, e.g. be removed during summer months. Station hardware is modular and easy to be transported and installed. Set up for multiple stations for a spatial measurement networks is advisable.
- Derivation of the water stored as snow (SWE) and the liquid water content (LWC) in the snow
- 2-GNSS-antenna concept with fixed, maintenance free installation below and above the snow cover
- Microwave L-Band signals with excellent attributes for snow monitoring globally availably from GNSS satellites
- Proven results from scientific studies and demo operations in Europe and North America for several years
- Method and station are patent pending
- Weather independent and maintenance free operation also during low sun or cloud conditions
- Independent power supply and intelligent operation management
- On-board processing and satellite or terrestrial based communication
- Light weight system ( <20 kg) for easy transportation and installation
- Low-cost hardware & data transfer
To provide spatial and temporal continuous information on the snow cover, the water balance is calculated using meteorological inputs and the parameters of the land surface by a physically model (PROMET). Meteo model inputs / NWPs enable weather station independent calculations and forecasts. The direct snow measurements from the stations and satellite derived spatial snow information are assimilated for exact and reliable results. Calculation of the run-off and aggregated products of hydro-power potential and forecast is optional.
Due to the transferable concept of the stations and the model, all catchments and regions can be monitored and provide large flexibility in performance and products
Satellite Monitoring of the snow cover as operational tool for spatial and up-to-date information
- Up to daily space observations of the land surface is provided by the European Commission (EC) and the European Space Agency (ESA)
- Currently two microwave (S1A/B) and high resolution optical (S2A/B) satellites in operation to allow frequent and observations of large areas
- large number of medium resolution satellites additionally available
SnowSense as a Service
SnowSense Unique Features
Example products from the operational Service Demo for the Island of Newfoundland / Canada within in the ESA IAP Demo Project
- SWE maps based on in-situ sensor, EO and model integration
- River-Runoff at selected locations
- Water stored as snow within catchment areas (historical data from winter season 2016/2017)
References
Snow water equivalent of dry snow derived from GNSS carrier phases
Patrick Henkel, Franziska Koch, Florian Appel, Heike Bach, Monika Prasch, Lino Schmid, Jürg Schweizer and Wolfram MauserIEEE TRANSACTIONS ON GEOSCIENCE AND REMOTE SENSING
Retrieval of snow water equivalent, liquid water content and snow height of dry and wet snow by combining GPS signal attenuation and time delay
Franziska Koch, Patrick Henkel, Florian Appel, Lino Schmid, Heike Bach, Markus Lamm, Monika Prasch, Jürg Schweizer and Wolfram MauserWater Resources Research
Advances in Snow Hydrology Using a Combined Approach of GNSS In Situ Stations, Hydrological Modelling and Earth Observation - A Case Study in Canada
Florian Appel, Franziska Koch, Anja Rösel, Philipp Klug, Patrick Henkel, Markus Lamm, Wolfram Mauser and Heike BachGeoscience - Special Issue Remote Sensing of Snow and its Applications
GNSS signal-based snow water equivalent determination for different snowpack conditions along a steep elevation gradient
Capelli, A., Koch, F., Henkel, P., Lamm, M., Appel, F., Marty, C., and Schweizer, J.The Cryosphere, 16, 505–531
Links
ESA IAP DEMO PROJECT website
more science information
more news on facebook
Partner
ANavS – Advanced Navigation Solutions GmbH
since 2015our development and hardware partner in Munich, Germany
MicroStep-MIS
since 2018our distribution partner in Bratislava, Slovak Republic
Sommer Messtechnik GmbH
since 2019our development and production partner for the SnowSense Sensor
Sales & Contact
VISTA GmbHQuestions and Requests
Please contact us at:
snowsense@vista-geo.de
Tel. +49 89 4521 614 15