This study was conducted as part of the International Polar Year - Circumpolar Flaw Lead (IPY-CFL) campaign conducted from 1 May–20 May, 2008. The study area comprised of snow covered land-fast smooth first year sea ice located on the west coast of Parry Peninsula in Franklin Bay (70°N–125°W). The location of the study area with respect to Canada and the extent of Radarsat-2 images overlaid with snow sites are shown in Fig. 3.