Use of Meteosat for Mapping Thermal Inertia and Evapotranspiration over a Limited Region of Mali

Abstract

In order to determine thermal inertia and latent heat flux from Meteosat data, we propose a model based on a Fourier analysis of the time variation of the surface temperature. This model uses as input the classical meteorological data (temperature, humidity and wind speed) measured in situ from meteorological stations and data obtained from Meteosat records (net radiation and surface temperature). The model is designed in such a way that the heat transfer resistances, which are very local quantities, are calculated by the model. The results of this model have been evaluated by comparison with experimental data and theoretical input data calculated from known in situ parameters. Both the accuracy and stability of these results, and the impact of errors of measurement on the input data will be discussed here. This model has been applied to the mapping of thermal inertia and evapotranspiration over a limited region of Mali within the Group Agro-Meteorological Project (GAMP). Results, on the whole, correspond to what is known of this region.