Clouds play a crucial role in the Arctic climate system, particularly cloud liquid water droplets. However, there is currently a measurement gap for cloud liquid water over sea ice. We present a method to estimate cloud liquid water over Arctic sea ice using airborne passive microwave observations from the HALO-(𝒜𝒞)³ campaign. Evaluation with other airborne sensors highlights both the limitations and potential of the retrieval. This approach is promising for future applications to satellites.

Wetlands are responsible for about a third of global emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. We have developed the Global Inundation Extent from Multi-Satellites-MethaneCentric (GIEMS-MC) dataset to represent the dynamics of wetland extent on a global scale (0.25° × 0.25° resolution, monthly time step). This updated resource combines satellite data and existing wetland databases, covering 1992 to 2020. Consistent maps of other methane-emitting surface waters (lakes, rivers, reservoirs, rice paddies) are also provided.

The Global Lakes and Wetlands Database (GLWD) version 2 distinguishes a total of 33 non-overlapping wetland classes, providing a static map of the world’s inland surface waters. It contains cell fractions of wetland extents per class at a grid cell resolution of ~500 m. The total combined extent of all classes including all inland and coastal waterbodies and wetlands of all inundation frequencies – that is, the maximum extent – covers 18.2 × 10⁶ km², equivalent to 13.4 % of total global land area.

Microwave radiometry senses the thermal emission from a target, whereas its active counterpart, radar, sends a signal to the target and measures the signal reflected back. We simultaneously model radar and radiometry over the East Antarctic ice sheet, which we propose as an analog for icy moons: we can reproduce most data with a unique model. Saturn's moons' radar brightness cannot be reproduced and must be caused by processes unaccounted for in the model and less active in the Antarctic.

Passive microwave observations from satellites are crucial for monitoring Arctic sea ice and atmosphere. To do this effectively, it is important to understand how sea ice emits microwaves. Through unique Arctic sea ice observations, we improved our understanding, identified four distinct emission types, and expanded current knowledge to include higher frequencies. These findings will enhance our ability to monitor the Arctic climate and provide valuable information for new satellite missions.