Sea ice parameters retrieval using synergetic observations from SSM/I 85 GHz and AVHRR

Radiometric observations from SSM/I 85 GHz and AVHRR infrared channels were co-located at pixel level. Ice surface temperature was calculated under cloud-free conditions from the AVHRR IR channels. The physical temperature of the radiation layer was calculated using a simplified form of the radiative transfer equation. The thickness of young ice types is then calculated using heat balance equation and assuming that surface temperature approaches the average temperature of the microwave radiating layer as ice thickens. The method is applied to coincident SSM/I and AVHRR data from a coastal polynya off Banks Island in the Beaufort Sea. Results show the distribution of thin ice in the polynya and the dynamics of ice formation and breakup in relation to meteorological forcing. Correlation between radiometric observations and derived parameters from the two sensors are established.