Experimental and model-based investigation of the links between snow bidirectional reflectance and snow microstructure

Snow optical properties are essential for the Earth climate. Snow optical properties, such as snow reflectance, are sensitivie to the snow microstructure, triggering potent climate feedbacks. Here we present a unique dataset consisting in combined characterization of the snow microstructure via X-ray images and of the snow directional reflectance using high accuracy measurements in cold room for 3 different snow samples. The dataset comprises : measurements of the snow bidirectional reflectance factor over 500–2500 nm, simulations of the snow bidirectional reflectance factor and chord length distribution estimated for X-ray images for 3 snow samples. The data are provided for 3 different snow samples.