Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2024-3967
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2024-3967
19 Mar 2025
 | 19 Mar 2025

High-resolution maps of Arctic surface skin temperature and type retrieved from airborne thermal infrared imagery collected during the HALO-(𝒜𝒞)³ campaign

Joshua Jeremias Müller, Michael Schäfer, Sophie Rosenburg, André Ehrlich, and Manfred Wendisch

Abstract. Two retrieval methods for the determination of Arctic surface skin temperature and surface type based on radiance measurements from the thermal infrared (TIR) imager VELOX (Video airbornE Longwave Observations within siX channels) are introduced. VELOX captures TIR radiances in terms of brightness temperatures in the atmospheric window for wavelengths from 7.7 μm to 12 μm in six spectral channels. It was deployed on the High Altitude and LOng Range research aircraft (HALO) during the HALO–(𝒜𝒞)3 airborne field campaign conducted in the framework of the Arctic Amplification: Climate Relevant Atmospheric and SurfaCe Processes and Feedback Mechanisms (𝒜𝒞)3 research program. The measurements were taken over the Fram Strait and the central Arctic in March and April 2022. To derive the surface skin temperature, radiative transfer simulations assuming cloud-free atmospheric conditions were performed, quantifying the influence of water vapour on the measured brightness temperature. Since this influence was negligible, it was possible to apply a single-channel retrieval of the surface skin temperature. The derived surface skin temperatures were compared with data from the MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). Furthermore, a pixel-by-pixel surface classification into types of open water, sea-ice water mixture, thin sea ice, and snow-covered sea ice was developed using a random forest algorithm. When the resulting sea-ice concentrations are compared with satellite data, a mean absolute error (MAE) of 5 % is obtained. In addition, the classified pixels where aggregated into segments of the same surface type, providing different segment size distributions for all surface types. When grouped by the distance to the sea ice edge, the segment size distribution shows a shift, favoring fewer but larger floes in the direction of the pack ice.

Competing interests: Some authors are members of the editorial board of journal AMT.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this paper. While Copernicus Publications makes every effort to include appropriate place names, the final responsibility lies with the authors. Views expressed in the text are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher.
Share

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

24 Sep 2025
High-resolution maps of Arctic surface skin temperature and type retrieved from airborne thermal infrared imagery collected during the HALO–(𝒜 𝒞)3 campaign
Joshua J. Müller, Michael Schäfer, Sophie Rosenburg, André Ehrlich, and Manfred Wendisch
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 4695–4708, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-4695-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-4695-2025, 2025
Short summary
Joshua Jeremias Müller, Michael Schäfer, Sophie Rosenburg, André Ehrlich, and Manfred Wendisch

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • CC1: 'Comment on amt-2024-3967', Meng Qu, 12 May 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on CC1', Joshua Müller, 30 Jun 2025
  • RC1: 'Comment on amt-2024-3967', Anonymous Referee #2, 19 May 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC1', Joshua Müller, 01 Jul 2025
  • EC1: 'Comment on amt-2024-3967', Andreas Richter, 22 May 2025

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • CC1: 'Comment on amt-2024-3967', Meng Qu, 12 May 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on CC1', Joshua Müller, 30 Jun 2025
  • RC1: 'Comment on amt-2024-3967', Anonymous Referee #2, 19 May 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC1', Joshua Müller, 01 Jul 2025
  • EC1: 'Comment on amt-2024-3967', Andreas Richter, 22 May 2025

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Joshua Müller on behalf of the Authors (01 Jul 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish subject to technical corrections (15 Jul 2025) by Andreas Richter
AR by Joshua Müller on behalf of the Authors (21 Jul 2025)  Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

24 Sep 2025
High-resolution maps of Arctic surface skin temperature and type retrieved from airborne thermal infrared imagery collected during the HALO–(𝒜 𝒞)3 campaign
Joshua J. Müller, Michael Schäfer, Sophie Rosenburg, André Ehrlich, and Manfred Wendisch
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 4695–4708, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-4695-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-4695-2025, 2025
Short summary
Joshua Jeremias Müller, Michael Schäfer, Sophie Rosenburg, André Ehrlich, and Manfred Wendisch
Joshua Jeremias Müller, Michael Schäfer, Sophie Rosenburg, André Ehrlich, and Manfred Wendisch

Viewed

Total article views: 825 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total BibTeX EndNote
690 115 20 825 18 39
  • HTML: 690
  • PDF: 115
  • XML: 20
  • Total: 825
  • BibTeX: 18
  • EndNote: 39
Views and downloads (calculated since 19 Mar 2025)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 19 Mar 2025)

Viewed (geographical distribution)

Total article views: 788 (including HTML, PDF, and XML) Thereof 788 with geography defined and 0 with unknown origin.
Country # Views %
  • 1
1
 
 
 
 
Latest update: 24 Sep 2025
Download

The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

Short summary
We retrieved high-resolution maps of Arctic surface temperature and type using airborne thermal infrared imagery from the HALO-(𝒜𝒞)3 campaign. Our study highlights small-scale surface variability, complementing satellite observations. Surface temperature was retrieved via radiative transfer simulations, while surface type was classified using machine learning. Additionally, we analyzed segment sizes of each surface type, presenting results based on their distance from the sea-ice edge.
Share