Techniques for Using MODIS Data to Remotely Sense Lake Water Surface Temperatures

• DOI: 10.1175/jtech-d-13-00003.1
• Publication Date: 2013-05-20T21:00:26Z
• Authors: Joseph A. Grim; Jason C. Knievel; Erik T. Crosman
• Keywords: Moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer; Buoy; Compositing; Spectroradiometer; Temporal resolution; Smoothing

Abstract This study describes a stepwise methodology used to provide daily high-spatial-resolution water surface temperatures from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite data for use nearly in real time the Great Salt Lake (GSL). Land temperature (LST) is obtained each day and then goes through following series of steps: land masking, quality control based on other concurrent datasets, bias correction, LSTs recent overpasses, temporal compositing, spatial hole filling, smoothing. Although techniques described herein were calibrated GSL, they can also be applied any inland body large enough resolved by MODIS, as long several months situ observations are available calibration. For buoy verification these resulted mean absolute errors final MODIS product that at least 62% more accurate than those operational Real-Time Global analysis. The provides realistic cross-lake gradients representative directly observed individual overpasses able replicate oscillations seen datasets over periods few days or more. increased accuracy, gradients, ability resolve changes down vital providing proper boundary conditions input into numerical weather models.