Thermal remote sensing of land surface temperature from satellites: Current status and future prospects

Abstract In this paper we review the current status for deriving land surface temperatures (LSTs) by remote sensing from satellites in the thermal infrared. Because of its widespread use and global applicability, we concentrate on the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR). The theoretical framework and methodologies used to derive LSTs are reviewed and amplified. Practical algorithms are described and their accuracy and application critically evaluated through sensitivity studies and by inter‐comparison. The important effects of the atmosphere, surface emissivity and instrument noise are considered and the current practice for removing these effects is specified. The accuracy currently attainable from the AVHRR for the LST algorithms studied lies between 1 and 2 K, depending critically upon the surface characteristics and the atmospheric structure. Suggestions about what improvements could be made to reduce the errors in LST estimation from space and the directions of future research are summarised.