Estimation of surface albedo from NOAA AVHRR data in high latitudes

A method for determining the surface albedo from routine daily NOAA AVHRR data is described and tested for applicability under high latitude conditions in a boreal-sub-arctic region. The test period included all received satellite data from April to October 1994, giving a good coverage of various and changing surface conditions. Albedo values obtained initially for each cloud-free pixel and satellite over-pass were averaged over nine-day periods to include a full cycle of measuring geometries and to obtain an adequate number of cloud-free pixels in the final average images. With the automated image navigation provided by the present receiving system, spatial averaging over a minimum of 24 x 24 pixel squares was needed to obtain acceptable repeatability of local albedo values. The atmospheric correction was made using a bi-directional atmospheric correction method. In early April, the albedo over the sea in the ice-covered northern Gulf of Bothnia and in the open mountain regions was typically above 60%. Over snow-covered forested areas, the albedo was near 50% in the sub-arctic zone, and near 30% for the central boreal forest-covered surface. The difference in albedo between the northern and southern forested locations in the presence of snow was attributed to the higher biomass density of forests in the south and possibly more snow remaining on trees in the north. For snow-free conditions, forested areas typically showed an albedo in the range 11-13%. Agricultural regions, mixed with minor patches of forest, generally showed an albedo below 15% for conditions of low crop leaf area coverage, but reached as high as 18% under conditions of maximum leaf area coverage in mid-summer. Retrieval of the edge of snow cover in spring and the appearance of newly-fallen snow in autumn could readily be carried out using a threshold albedo of 20%.