Validity of ocean surface temperatures monitored from satellites

Abstract

The ground truth (validity as established by ground data) of remote-sensed equivalent blackbody temperature (T_BB) as determined from Nimbus 2 satellite data was investigated over the Persian Gulf and the Somali Coast. The mean T_BB values recorded with the high resolution infrared radiometer (HRIR) were 0·1 C° cooler than the reported ship temperatures. The standard deviation for the difference between T_BB values and ship measurements was less than 1·3°C indicating that over cloud-free regions very good accuracy from orbiting sensors can be obtained.

Author notes

¹On leave from the Faculte des Sciences, Marseille, as a National Academy of Sciences-NCR Post Doctoral Associate.