High-Resolution GOES Insolation–Evapotranspiration Data Set for Water Resource Management in Florida: 1995–2015

Abstract

This paper reviews and summarizes the continued development of satellite-based estimates of insolation (incoming solar radiation), reference evapotranspiration (RET), and potential evapotranspiration (PET), computed for the State of Florida at 2-km resolution for the period from June 1, 1995, to December 31, 215, which spans over 2 years. Insolation is a primary driver of evapotranspiration in Florida. Insolation maps generated from Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) imagery were used to compute PET and RET, calibrated to ground-based pyranometers. Uncalibrated model results over the 2-year period indicate a station-averaged model error of 2.1 MJ m−2 day−1 (12% of observed). Calibration reduced model errors to 1.6 MJ m−2 day−1 (9% of observed) and also removed temporal, seasonal, and satellite-sensor-related biases. As a means of demonstrating the integrity of these products, overviews of the GOES-derived insolation, PET, and RET fields are presented in terms of spatial and temporal patterns over Florida. Hydrologic features that create regional weather patterns and affect PET and RET include Lake Okeechobee and the Atlantic Gulf Stream current. Selected scientific and water-management applications are summarized, as well as planned enhancements to the insolation–ET algorithm.