Mapping snow surface temperature from thermal satellite data in the southern Sierra Nevada
Title | Mapping snow surface temperature from thermal satellite data in the southern Sierra Nevada |
Publication Type | Conference Proceedings |
Year of Conference | 1980 |
Authors | Frampton, M., and Marks D. |
Conference Name | 48th Annual Western Snow Conference |
Series Title | Proceedings of the 48th Annual Western Snow Conference |
Date Published | April 1980 |
Publisher | Western Snow Conference |
Conference Location | Laramie, Wyoming |
Keywords | Remote 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. |
URL | sites/westernsnowconference.org/PDFs/1980Frampton.pdf |