Preprints
https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4401872
https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4401872
16 Oct 2023
 | 16 Oct 2023

A satellite view of the exceptionally warm summer of 2022 over Europe

João P. A. Martins, Sara Caetano, Carlos Pereira, Emanuel Dutra, and Rita M. Cardoso

Abstract. Summer heatwaves are becoming increasingly dangerous over Europe, and their close monitoring is essential for human activities. Typically, they are monitored using 2 m temperature from meteorological weather stations or reanalysis datasets. In this study, the 2022 extremely warm summer over Europe is analyzed using satellite land surface temperature (LST), specifically the LSA-SAF All-Sky LST product (available from 2004 onwards). Since climate applications of LST are still poorly explored, heatwave diagnostics derived from satellite observations are compared with those derived using ERA5/ERA5-Land reanalysis data. Results highlight the exceptionality of 2022 in different metrics such as mean LST anomaly, area under extreme heat conditions, number of hot days and the Heatwave Magnitude Index. In all metrics, 2022 ranked first when compared with the remaining years. Compared to 2018 (next in all rankings), 2022 exceeded its LST anomaly by 0.7 °C and each pixel had on average seven more hot days. Satellite LST complements reanalysis diagnostics, as higher LST anomalies occur over areas under severe drought, indicating a higher control and amplification of the heatwave by surface processes and vegetation stress. These cross-cutting diagnostics increase the confidence across satellite data records and reanalysis, fostering their usage in climate applications.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

30 Apr 2024
A satellite view of the exceptionally warm summer of 2022 over Europe
João P. A. Martins, Sara Caetano, Carlos Pereira, Emanuel Dutra, and Rita M. Cardoso
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 24, 1501–1520, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-24-1501-2024,https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-24-1501-2024, 2024
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The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

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Over Europe, 2022 has been truly exceptional in terms of extreme heat conditions, both in terms...
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