Comparison of Near-Surface Air Temperatures and MODIS Ice-Surface Temperatures at Summit, Greenland (2008-2013)

• Main Authors: DiGirolamo, Nicolo E., Mefford, Thomas K., Schnaubelt, Michael J., Hall, Dorothy K., Shuman, Christopher A.
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: Geosciences (General); Greenland; Ice Sheet
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20140010876

We have investigated the stability of the MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) infrared-derived ice surface temperature (IST) data from Terra for use as a climate quality data record. The availability of climate quality air temperature data (TA) from a NOAA Global Monitoring Division observatory at Greenlands Summit station has enabled this high temporal resolution study of MODIS ISTs. During a 5 year period (July 2008 to August 2013), more than 2500 IST values were compared with 3-minute average TA values derived from the 1-minute data from NOAAs primary 2 m air temperature sensor. These data enabled an expected small offset between air and surface temperatures at this the ice sheet location to be investigated over multiple annual cycles.