Online, EUMeTrain
Land surface temperature (LST) is a key parameter of land surface processes controlling the energy fluxes between the Earth’s surface and the atmosphere. Although its importance has long been recognised, local measurements of LST over continents are not yet available for the whole globe. Yet, satellite technology has made it possible to retrieve LST on a global scale and at a temporal frequency of up to 15 minutes.
In the recently published EUMeTrain product tutorial on Land Surface Temperature (LST) the true meaning of this parameter (often confused with the thermodynamic air temperature measured at shelter level) is explained. This tutorial also presents the major difficulties with the retrieval of LST over land surfaces. The main differences between LST derived from infrared and microwave data are discussed, as well as from polar orbiters versus geostationary satellites. Finally the relevance of estimating LST from satellite is highlighted by going through some examples of its many possible applications.