Analysis of the surface temperature estimated by OLI-Landsat 8 images in urban area

Abstract

The main objective of this article was to analyze the surface temperature based on the values obtained from OLI-Landsat 8 satellite images for the city of Cuiabá - MT, between August / 2014 and June / 2015. The images were pre-processed using calibration techniques and atmospheric corrections. At the same time, data obtained at a micrometeorological station were used to analyze the difference between the air temperature data and the estimated surface temperature data. Different statistical parameters (correlation coefficients and mean squared error) were calculated to determine the relationship between surface temperature and air temperature. The results show higher surface temperature values (31 ~ 42 ºC) in the northern region of the municipality, which is the center of the city, with a greater flow of vehicles. In turn the lowest surface temperature values (18 ~ 24 ºC) were obtained in the southern region, where there is a greater presence of vegetation and water body. It was evidenced a higher correlation between air temperature and surface temperature when considering the average daily air temperature. In summary, the surface temperature information acquired by remote sensing techniques enabled the identification and understanding of local climate thermal performance.

Keywords:  Urban climate. Remote sensing. Air temperature