A comparison of temperature retrieval algorithms for snow covered surfaces

Algorithm for retrieval of the temperatures of snow surfaces have been examined for melting snow in mountainous areas in southern Norway. The tested algorithms include dual-band techniques as well as dual-view techniques. The study also included existing calibration data for the algorithms. The study has showed satisfactory results for two dual-band techniques, the Key and Coll algorithms. They were yielding results close to the reference data for ATSR and AVHRR data. The dual view algorithms applied on the ATSR data estimated a slightly colder surface than the reference. Improvements in the dual-view algorithms may be obtained by better calibration data and more precise co-registration between nadir and forward looking images.