Use of Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) for estimation of precipitation features in a semi-arid, mountain region: A case study of southwest Saudi Arabia
The linear regression method was used to determine the degree of correlation between soil caused by rainfall and Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) brightness temperatures or combinations of two brightness temperatures. This study is concerned with the application of passive microwaves to soil moisture classifications in a semi-arid, mountain region. The southwest region of Saudi Arabia was chosen for this study. Two case studies were performed to investigate the response of SSM/I brightness temperatures to soil moisture. The first case study is at satellite ascending overpass time (about 6:00 a.m. local solar time), and the second case study is at satellite descending overpass time (about 6:00 p.m. local solar time). It is shown that brightness temperatures normalized with respect to ground temperature may be interpreted in terms of the soil moisture in the surface layer of the soil. Normalized brightness temperatures are not sensitive to soil moisture when precipitating clouds are present. The existence of precipitating clouds over the study area was determined through an examination of brightness temperatures at 8.5. GHz. It was found that the normalized brightness temperatures with respect to ground temperature responded to the change of the soil moisture caused by rainfall. The normalized brightness temperature in channel H19 with respect to ground temperature (H19/T) was the best single SSM/I channel to use for a surface soil moisture investigation at satellite descending overpass time, and the normalized brightness temperature in channel H37 with respect to ground temperature (H37/T) was the best single SSM/I channel to use for a surface soil moisture investigation at satellite ascending overpass time.
- Research Organization:
- Texas A and M Univ., College Station, TX (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 6315984
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Ph.D. Thesis
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ARID LANDS
PRECIPITATION
SOILS
MOISTURE
REMOTE SENSING
BRIGHTNESS
CLOUDS
MOUNTAINS
RAIN
REGRESSION ANALYSIS
SATELLITES
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
MATHEMATICS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
STATISTICS
540210* - Environment
Terrestrial- Basic Studies- (1990-)
540110