AMSR-E snow water equivalent data was assimilated into the SNOW17 model using the EnKF.
Average bias in AMSR-E snow water equivalent was −17.91 mm when compared to airborne measurements.
SWE assimilation improved discharge simulations for five of seven study sites.
SWE was consistently under-simulated, likely due to model calibration.
Error in AMSR-E data was evident during episodes of liquid precipitation and melting.