Mapping snow surface temperature from thermal satellite data in the southern Sierra Nevada

TitleMapping snow surface temperature from thermal satellite data in the southern Sierra Nevada
Publication TypeConference Proceedings
Year of Conference1980
AuthorsFrampton, M., and Marks D.
Conference Name48th Annual Western Snow Conference
Series TitleProceedings of the 48th Annual Western Snow Conference
Date PublishedApril 1980
PublisherWestern Snow Conference
Conference LocationLaramie, Wyoming
KeywordsRemote sensing, Snow hydrology
Abstract

Mapping snow surface temperature over a large alpine area is a useful tool for monitoring the surface evergy exchange. In this study, Tiros-M satellite data are used to measure snow surface temperatures over very complex terrain in the southern Sierra Nevada. The satellite data are compared to extensive field measurements collected at the time of satellite overpasses. The reliability of the data is very good in areas of total snowcover (0.99 degrees K), but is degraded in areas of mixed trees or rocks, and snow. Because the satellite data were received in Field Station Format, accurate geometric rectification and subsequent registration to terrain coordinates was not possible. An approximate registration allowed the satellite determined surface temperatures to be used to compute incoming longwave and net radiation over the Glen Pass area in the southern Sierra Nevada. This is done to illustrate that satellite derived surface temperatures can provide useful information on the energy exchange over snow in an alpine environment which may lead to improved snowmelt runoff prediction.

URLsites/westernsnowconference.org/PDFs/1980Frampton.pdf