Uncertainties of satellite-derived surface skin temperatures in the polar oceans: MODIS, AIRS/AMSU, and AIRS only

Uncertainties in the satellite-derived surface skin temperature (SST) data in the polar oceans during two periods (16–24 April and 15–23 September) 2003–2014 were investigated and the three data sets were intercompared as follows: MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer Ice Surface Temperatur...

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Main Authors: H.-J. Kang, J.-M. Yoo, M.-J. Jeong, Y.-I. Won
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2015-10-01
Series:Atmospheric Measurement Techniques
Online Access:http://www.atmos-meas-tech.net/8/4025/2015/amt-8-4025-2015.pdf
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author H.-J. Kang
J.-M. Yoo
M.-J. Jeong
Y.-I. Won
author_facet H.-J. Kang
J.-M. Yoo
M.-J. Jeong
Y.-I. Won
author_sort H.-J. Kang
collection DOAJ
description Uncertainties in the satellite-derived surface skin temperature (SST) data in the polar oceans during two periods (16–24 April and 15–23 September) 2003–2014 were investigated and the three data sets were intercompared as follows: MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer Ice Surface Temperature (MODIS IST), the SST of the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder/Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-A (AIRS/AMSU), and AIRS only. The AIRS only algorithm was developed in preparation for the degradation of the AMSU-A. MODIS IST was systematically warmer up to 1.65 K at the sea ice boundary and colder down to −2.04 K in the polar sea ice regions of both the Arctic and Antarctic than that of the AIRS/AMSU. This difference in the results could have been caused by the surface classification method. The spatial correlation coefficient of the AIRS only to the AIRS/AMSU (0.992–0.999) method was greater than that of the MODIS IST to the AIRS/AMSU (0.968–0.994). The SST of the AIRS only compared to that of the AIRS/AMSU had a bias of 0.168 K with a RMSE of 0.590 K over the Northern Hemisphere high latitudes and a bias of −0.109 K with a RMSE of 0.852 K over the Southern Hemisphere high latitudes. There was a systematic disagreement between the AIRS retrievals at the boundary of the sea ice, because the AIRS only algorithm utilized a less accurate GCM forecast over the seasonally varying frozen oceans than the microwave data. The three data sets (MODIS, AIRS/AMSU and AIRS only) showed significant warming rates (2.3 ± 1.7 ~ 2.8 ± 1.9 K decade<sup>−1</sup>) in the northern high regions (70–80° N) as expected from the ice-albedo feedback. The systematic temperature disagreement associated with surface type classification had an impact on the resulting temperature trends.
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spelling doaj.art-e42081539f6347e39f32072680f15a492022-12-22T03:12:50ZengCopernicus PublicationsAtmospheric Measurement Techniques1867-13811867-85482015-10-018104025404110.5194/amt-8-4025-2015Uncertainties of satellite-derived surface skin temperatures in the polar oceans: MODIS, AIRS/AMSU, and AIRS onlyH.-J. Kang0J.-M. Yoo1M.-J. Jeong2Y.-I. Won3Department of Atmospheric Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 120-750, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Science Education, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 120-750, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung 210-702, Republic of KoreaWyle ST&E, NASA/GSFC, Maryland, USAUncertainties in the satellite-derived surface skin temperature (SST) data in the polar oceans during two periods (16–24 April and 15–23 September) 2003–2014 were investigated and the three data sets were intercompared as follows: MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer Ice Surface Temperature (MODIS IST), the SST of the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder/Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-A (AIRS/AMSU), and AIRS only. The AIRS only algorithm was developed in preparation for the degradation of the AMSU-A. MODIS IST was systematically warmer up to 1.65 K at the sea ice boundary and colder down to −2.04 K in the polar sea ice regions of both the Arctic and Antarctic than that of the AIRS/AMSU. This difference in the results could have been caused by the surface classification method. The spatial correlation coefficient of the AIRS only to the AIRS/AMSU (0.992–0.999) method was greater than that of the MODIS IST to the AIRS/AMSU (0.968–0.994). The SST of the AIRS only compared to that of the AIRS/AMSU had a bias of 0.168 K with a RMSE of 0.590 K over the Northern Hemisphere high latitudes and a bias of −0.109 K with a RMSE of 0.852 K over the Southern Hemisphere high latitudes. There was a systematic disagreement between the AIRS retrievals at the boundary of the sea ice, because the AIRS only algorithm utilized a less accurate GCM forecast over the seasonally varying frozen oceans than the microwave data. The three data sets (MODIS, AIRS/AMSU and AIRS only) showed significant warming rates (2.3 ± 1.7 ~ 2.8 ± 1.9 K decade<sup>−1</sup>) in the northern high regions (70–80° N) as expected from the ice-albedo feedback. The systematic temperature disagreement associated with surface type classification had an impact on the resulting temperature trends.http://www.atmos-meas-tech.net/8/4025/2015/amt-8-4025-2015.pdf
spellingShingle H.-J. Kang
J.-M. Yoo
M.-J. Jeong
Y.-I. Won
Uncertainties of satellite-derived surface skin temperatures in the polar oceans: MODIS, AIRS/AMSU, and AIRS only
Atmospheric Measurement Techniques
title Uncertainties of satellite-derived surface skin temperatures in the polar oceans: MODIS, AIRS/AMSU, and AIRS only
title_full Uncertainties of satellite-derived surface skin temperatures in the polar oceans: MODIS, AIRS/AMSU, and AIRS only
title_fullStr Uncertainties of satellite-derived surface skin temperatures in the polar oceans: MODIS, AIRS/AMSU, and AIRS only
title_full_unstemmed Uncertainties of satellite-derived surface skin temperatures in the polar oceans: MODIS, AIRS/AMSU, and AIRS only
title_short Uncertainties of satellite-derived surface skin temperatures in the polar oceans: MODIS, AIRS/AMSU, and AIRS only
title_sort uncertainties of satellite derived surface skin temperatures in the polar oceans modis airs amsu and airs only
url http://www.atmos-meas-tech.net/8/4025/2015/amt-8-4025-2015.pdf
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