Vegetation and meteorological observations (snow and radiation) were collected by various ground instruments in an area of forest near Sodankyla (Finalnd) during measurement campaigns in March 2011. This data is made available through the BADC. An open area and five 20 m × 20 m forest plots were selected for shortwave and longwave radiation measurements and canopy characterization. The Arctic Research Centre of the Finnish Meteorological Institute at Sodankylä (67°22'N, 26°38'E) has continuous weather observations dating back to 1908 and is a major centre for meteorological and remote sensing field studies. The surrounding area includes forests of Norway Spruce (Picea abies) and Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris), extensive mires and numerous lakes that are frozen and snow-covered in winter. This was a NERC funded project.

Vegetation and meteorological observations (snow and radiation) were collected by various ground instruments in an area of forest near Abisko (Sweden) and Sodankylä (Finland) during measurement campaigns in March 2011 and March 2012. This dataset contains the snow depth data collected at Abisko site in March 2011. Snow depths were measured by pushing a graduated probe down to the ground surface at points with 2 m spacing in each 20 m × 20 m plot, giving grids of 121 points. This was a NERC funded project.

Vegetation and meteorological observations (snow and radiation) were collected by various ground instruments in an area of forest near Abisko (Sweden) and Sodankylä (Finland) during measurement campaigns in March 2011 and March 2012. This dataset contains the snow depth data collected at Sodankyla site in March 2011. Snow depths were measured by pushing a graduated probe down to the ground surface at points with 2 m spacing in each 20 m × 20 m plot, giving grids of 121 points. This was a NERC funded project.

This dataset contains Global Precipitation Measurements (GPM) Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals (IMERG) v5 and v6. The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission is an international network of satellites that provide the next-generation global observations of rain and snow.

This dataset includes the CNRM-CM5 model output prepared for SPECS snowInit (1991-2012). These data were prepared by the Centre National de Recherches Meteorologiques, as part of the SPECS project. Model id is CNRM-CM5, frequency is daily, associated model is atmo HR ocean HR. Arpege V5.1 is the underlying model, 31 vertical levels (CNRM-CM5 2013 atmosphere:Arpege (tl127l91r); ocean:Nemo (Orca1); sea-ice:Gelato; land:isba. Atmospheric variables are: hfls hfss pr psl rlds rls rsds rss ta tas tasmax tasmin zg

Vegetation and meteorological observations (snow and radiation) were collected by various ground instruments in an area of forest near Abisko (Sweden) and Sodankylä (Finland) during measurement campaigns in March 2011 and March 2012. This dataset contains the hemispherical photography data collected at Abisko site in March 2011. Upward-looking hemispherical photographs were taken at every radiometer position using a Nikon Coolpix 4300 digital camera with a Nikon FC-E8 fisheye lens. The camera was mounted on a small tripod with the lens approximately 20 cm above the snow surface. In each case, the camera was levelled and rotated such that magnetic north is at the top of the photograph. This was a NERC funded project.

Vegetation and meteorological observations (snow and radiation) were collected by various ground instruments in an area of forest near Abisko (Sweden) and Sodankylä (Finland) during measurement campaigns in March 2011 and March 2012. This dataset contains the hemispherical photography data collected at Sodankyla site in March 2011. Upward-looking hemispherical photographs were taken at every radiometer position using a Nikon Coolpix 4300 digital camera with a Nikon FC-E8 fisheye lens. The camera was mounted on a small tripod with the lens approximately 20 cm above the snow surface. In each case, the camera was levelled and rotated such that magnetic north is at the top of the photograph. This was a NERC funded project.

Vegetation and meteorological observations (snow and radiation) were collected by various ground instruments in an area of forest near Abisko (Sweden) and Sodankylä (Finland) during measurement campaigns in March 2011 and March 2012. This dataset contains the laser scanning data collected at Abisko site in March 2011. A Leica C10 terrestrial laser scanner was used to acquire three-dimensional point clouds of the canopies in every study plot. Four scans from the corners of a plot and up to four additional scans from other points were made to ensure that every side of every tree within the plot was visible from at least one scan position. The scanner records x, y and z coordinates and intensity of the first return. Horizontal coordinates were converted to UTM (zones 34W for Abisko). This was a NERC funded project.

Vegetation and meteorological observations (snow and radiation) were collected by various ground instruments in an area of forest near Abisko (Sweden) and Sodankylä (Finland) during measurement campaigns in March 2011 and March 2012. This dataset contains the radiation data collected at Abisko site in March 2011. Above-canopy radiation: An open area was selected at each study site (“plot O”) for measurements assumed to be representative of incoming radiation above the nearby forest canopy. A Delta-T Devices BF3 sunshine sensor and a Kipp & Zonen CGR3 pyrgeometer were connected to a Campbell Scientific CR1000 data logger recording 5-minute averages of measurements made every 5 seconds. The BF3 measures total and diffuse incoming shortwave radiation, and the CGR3 measures thermal longwave radiation. Below-canopy radiation: In the forest plots, two arrays of ten Kipp & Zonen CM3 shortwave pyranometers and four Kipp & Zonen CGR3 longwave pyrgeometers were connected to AM16/32B multiplexers and Campbell Scientific CR1000 data loggers recording 5-minute averages of measurements made every 5 seconds. One array was set up in a “continuity plot” C for the entire duration of each field campaign, while the other array was moved between four “roving plots” R1 to R4, providing at least 5 complete days of data at each plot. All radiometers were placed on small plywood platforms on the snow surface and were levelled and cleared of snow every morning. Radiometer positions were recorded using differential GPS at Abisko and averages of repeated handheld GPS measurements at Sodankylä. This was a NERC funded project.

Vegetation and meteorological observations (snow and radiation) were collected by various ground instruments in an area of forest near Abisko (Sweden) during measurement campaigns in March and April 2011. This data is made available through the BADC. This is a NERC funded project.