C-band linear and polarimetric parameters derived fromsynthesis and decomposition of Radarsat-2 SAR data are
analyzed and evaluated with respect to snowcovers of variable thickness on smooth first year sea ice (SFYI). The
study is conducted for two selected temperature conditions: 1) cold (−7.9 °C) and 2)warm(−0.4 °C). First, the
polarimetric SAR response fromthe snowcover at cold conditions is analyzedwith an objective to investigate the
sensitivity of linear and polarimetric backscatter to snowthickness. Second, the changes in these sensitivities are
examined as a function of change in surface air temperature (from −7.9 °C to −0.4 °C) through the changes
manifested in snow geophysical properties. The dependence of linear and polarimetric backscatter response on
radar incidence angle for different snow thicknesses is also evaluated.