Cryosphere is an all-encompassing term for those portions of Earth's surface where water is in solid form, including sea ice, lake ice, river ice, snow cover, glaciers, ice caps, ice sheets, and frozen ground (which includes permafrost). It is also an integral part of the global climate system with important linkages and feedbacks generated through its influence on surface energy and moisture fluxes, clouds, precipitation, hydrology, atmospheric and oceanic circulation.

Snow is the most sensitive indicator of climate change, and Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) has identified Snow Cover Area, Snow Depth (SD) and Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) as Essential Climate Variable (ECV) Products under the ECV Snow. Different products i.e. Snow Cover Fraction, Snow Melt & Freeze and Snowmelt Anatarctica are made available under the National Information system for Climate and Environment Studies (NICES) portal.