Data fusion for use of passive microwave data in operational sea-ice monitoring

A new SSM/I algorithm is described that is based on near real-time data fusion with portions of operational ice charts derived from RADARSAT, OLS or AVHRR data. The aim of this is to enable parts of the ice chart where there is no cloud-free imagery or SAR data to be completed using an SSM/I algorithm that is tuned to the region and time associated with the ice chart. The algorithm is a linear combination of partial concentrations from the NASA Team and Bootstrap algorithms together with lower variance principal components of SSM/I data. The algorithm is designed for near real time use in production of operational ice charts.