Abstract

The stratospheric volcanic dust cloud resulting from the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in June 1991 has adversely affected the retrieval of sea surface temperature from the upwelling infrared radiances (≈3.7,10.8, and 11.9 µm) measured by the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer onboard the NOAA polar orbiting satellites. Correction algorithms to restore the capability of sea surface temperature retrieval during such volcanic dust episodes have been developed by combining model simulations of the radiative effects of volcanic aerosols with shipboard and buoy measurements of sea surface temperature and the NOAA operational aerosol product. The operational implementation of the correction algorithms will be discussed, accompanied by examples of the restored sea surface temperature fields.

© 1992 Optical Society of America