Using MODIS LST data for high-resolution estimates of daily air temperature over Mississippi

Three datasets of surface and 2-m air temperature (MODIS LST gridded data, North American Regional Reanalysis surface fields, and meteorological observations from surface stations) with different spatial resolution ranging from a field scale to 32-km model grid have been used to evaluate a statistical relationship between Land Surface Temperature (LST) and daily 2-m maximum and minimum air temperature Ta. The datasets cover Mississippi and adjacent states for the period from June 2000 to September 2004. A comparison between correlations produced by MODIS LST versus observed Tmax and Reanalysis LST versus observed Tmax (surface and air temperature) were performed to assess effects of the averaging scale and the diurnal cycle. Seasonal changes in correlation pattern between December, January, and February (DJF) and June, July, and August (JJA) are revealed and examined.