Satellite-based snow cover monitoring in Kazakhstan using modis time series

Aigerim Kalybekova, Д. В. Исмаилов, Valentina Grichshenko, Daniker Chepashev, Е. Максимкина, Г. Жусупова, Geoffrey M. Henebry

2026

Full text Open access: Gold Metadata (CSL-JSON)

DOI 10.47533/2026.1606-146x.2-06

Data confidence 70 medium

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Abstract

This study presents a satellite-based approach to monitoring snow cover dynamics in Kazakhstan using long-term MODIS observations. The methodology enables the extraction of key snow season metrics, including first snowfall date (FSD), snowfall duration (SDC), and last snowfall date (LSD). The approach was applied to representative regions of southeastern Kazakhstan, including the Tien Shan, Kolsai Lakes, Bartogay Reservoir, and Lake Balkhash. A spatiotemporal analysis of snow cover variability for 2001–2024 was conducted, and relationships with global climate indices (ENSO and AO) were identified. The results demonstrate significant regional differences in snow cover stability and highlight the sensitivity of low-lying regions to climate variability.