title: Quantification of Local Warming Trend: A Remote Sensing-Based Approach.
abstract: Understanding the warming trends at local level is critical; and, the development of relevant adaptation and mitigation policies at those levels are quite challenging. Here, our overall goal was to generate local warming trend map at 1 km spatial resolution by using: (i) Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)-based 8-day composite surface temperature data; (ii) weather station-based yearly average air temperature data; and (iii) air temperature normal (i.e., 30 year average) data over the Canadian province of Alberta during the period 1961-2010. Thus, we analysed the station-based air temperature data in generating relationships between air temperature normal and yearly average air temperature in order to facilitate the selection of year-specific MODIS-based surface temperature data. These MODIS data in conjunction with weather station-based air temperature normal data were then used to model local warming trends. We observed that almost 88% areas of the province experienced warming trends (i.e., up to 1.5°C). The study concluded that remote sensing technology could be useful for delineating generic trends associated with local warming.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geomatics Engineering, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Khan Rubayet
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Rahaman
authors.affiliation: Department of Geomatics Engineering, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Quazi K
authors.initials: QK
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.affiliation: Department of Geomatics Engineering, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Ehsan H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Chowdhury
mesh_terms: D000416:Alberta; D000465:Algorithms; D057231:Climate Change; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D058998:Remote Sensing Technology; D012621:Seasons; D013696:Temperature