Retrieval of Heat Balance Components Using Remote Sensing Data

Abstract

A method for retrieving heat balance (HB) components at the land surface is examined on the basis of data from simultaneous satellite measurements in the shortwave and IR-spectral regions ensuring determination of the temperature of the land surface and the shortwave radiation balance. A classification of the diurnal variation for the principal HB components is formulated on the basis of a fuzzy logic analysis of multiyear series of data from regularly scheduled heat balance observations made in the Russian Hydrometeorological Service network. The influence of wind speed and other meteorological factors on the accuracy in retrieving the evaporation rate is clarified.