Surface temperature estimation using special sensor microwave-Imager (SSMI)‎ data over Saudi Arabia

Abstract EN

This study is concerned with the application of passive microwaves to land surface temperatures in an arid region.

Simple and multiple linear regressions were used to test the statistical validity of the correlation coefficients between the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) brightness temperatures and land surface temperature over Saudi Arabia.

Two samples were performed to investigate the response of SSM/I brightness temperatures to land surface temperatures.

The first sample is at satellite ascending overpass time (about 6:00a.m.

local solar time), and the second sample is at satellite descending overpass time (about 6:00p.m.

local solar time).

It was found that poor correlation coefficients occurred between the SSM/I brightness temperatures and land surface temperatures at satellite ascending overpass time.

However, good correlation coefficient occurred between the SSM/I brightness temperatures and land surface temperatures at satellite descending overpass time.

It was shown to be able to estimate the averaged land temperature at about 6:00p.m.

local solar time using SSM/I brightness temperatures (V22, V37, H37, V85, H85) for areas of 1º latitude × 1º longitude grid.