Sea Ice Concentration and Edge Product validation and monitoring
The OSI SAF sea ice products (edge and concentration) are continously validated against navigational ice charts. At the current stage these charts are the best independent source of reference data. The ice charts are based on a variety of satellite data sources, primarily Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and optical. A detailed interpretation of satellite imagery and a subsequent mapping procedure are carried out by skilled (experienced and trained) ice analysts. The ice charts are primarily used for strategic and tactical planning within the offshore and shipping community. Requirements are strict; demands are for detailed high quality products for several areas.
The validation is done using the operational ice charts for the Svalbard region from the MET Norway Ice Service, and the Northern and Southern Hemisphere from the U. S. National Ice Center (NIC). Validation results are available at these links:
Comparison with NIC charts at Northern Hemisphere
Comparison with NIC charts at Southern Hemisphere
Validation around Svalbard
The requirement for the validation of the concentration product is to have a bias and standard deviation less than 10 % ice concentration on an annual basis at the Northern Hemisphere. For the Southern Hemisphere the concentration product is required to have a bias and standard deviation less that 15%.
The image below shows an example of a high resolution ice chart from the Ice Service around Svalbard from 07.10.2019. Click at the image to enlarge.
