Error characterization in iQuam SSTs using triple collocations with satellite measurements. Issue 20 (18th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xu, Feng; Ignatov, Alexander
• Is Part Of: Geophysical research letters. Volume 43:Issue 20(2016)
• Page Start: 10, 826
• Page End: 10, 834
• Publication Date: 2016-10-18
• Subjects: iQuam -- error characterization -- SST -- triple collocation -- AVHRR -- AATSR; Geophysics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Periodicals; Lunar geology -- Periodicals; 550
• DOI: 10.1002/2016GL070287
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-8276

Abstract

Abstract: Various types of in situ sea surface temperature (SST) measurements have dominated during different periods of the satellite era. Their corresponding errors should be characterized to curtail the nonuniformities in calibration and validation of reprocessed historical satellite SST data. SSTs from several major in situ platform types reported in the NOAA in situ Quality Monitor ( i Quam) system have been collocated with NOAA‐17 Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) and Envisat Advanced Along Track Scanning Radiometer (AATSR) satellite SSTs from 2003 to 2009, produced by the European Space Agency (ESA) Climate Change Initiative (CCI) program. The standard deviations of errors in i Quam in situ and nighttime satellite CCI SSTs estimated using triple‐collocation analyses are 0.75 K for ships, 0.21–0.22 K for drifters and Argo floats, 0.17 K and 0.40 K for tropical and coastal moorings, 0.35–0.38 K for AVHRR, and 0.15–0.30 K for AATSR. The distribution of in situ and satellite errors in space and time is also analyzed, along with their single‐sensor error distributions. Key Points: Error characterization in satellite and in situ SSTs using triple‐collocation method Analysis of temporal trends and spatial patterns in satellite and in situ SST errors Lognormal distribution used to describe random errors in individual in situ SST sensors