Impacts of snow data and processing methods on the interpretation of long-term changes in Baffin Bay early spring sea ice thickness

Abstract. In the Arctic, multi-year sea ice is being rapidly replaced by seasonal ice. Baffin Bay, situated between Greenland and Canada, part of zone. this study, we present a long-term multi-mission assessment (2003–2020) spring thickness in Bay from satellite altimetry charts. Sea within calculated Envisat, ICESat, CryoSat-2, ICESat-2 freeboard estimates, alongside proxy chart stage development that closely matches data. We study sensitivity results estimated an array different snow depth density products methods for redistributing low-resolution data onto along-track freeboards. The are applied include reference Warren climatology, passive microwave product, dynamic scheme SnowModel-LG. find applying redistribution to represent small-scale variability has considerable impact on calculations laser freeboards but was unnecessary radar Decisions which loading product use whether apply can lead conclusions trends physical mechanisms. For instance, uncertainty envelope around March mean 13 % depth/density methods. Consequently, 2003–2020 range −23 17 cm per decade, depending method applied. Over longer timescale, since 1996, demonstrated statistically significant thinning 7 decade. Our provides further evidence asymmetrical (with −17.6 decade west 10.8 thickening east bay) 2003. This consistent all combinations processing method, it unclear what may have driven these changes.