Land Surface Skin Temperature and Its Variations from FIFE and Beyond

Land surface skin temperature is the radiometric temperature measured by thermal infrared radiometer. The difference between this variable and the conventional surface air temperature measured by WMO weather station reveals the properties of soil moisture, land cover, and boundary layer conditions. Using FIFE and other field measurements together with satellite retrievals, we examined the skin temperature diurnal, seasonal, and interannual variations, and try to understand the mechanisms responsible for such variations. Furthermore, our understanding helps to validate and improve land surface model simulations on skin temperature. In this presentation, we will show how FIFE contributes significantly to our understanding on land surface skin temperature, and the historical growth of our knowledge on this variable.