Spatial Variability of Surface Temperature - Use of thermal remote sensing as an alternative to measure surface temperature: A Case Study of Colombo, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Surface temperature in urban areas of the Western province in Sri Lanka has been dramatically increased during recent years. The traditional method used to measure the temperature in Sri Lanka is ground based observation and it only reflects the thermal conditions of local area around the station. There are only two ground-based observation stations located in Colombo urban area and their findings are not adequate to analyze the spatial patterns of temperatures and surface temperature levels in entire Colombo urban areas. This book suggests an alternative methodology to find the spatial variability of surface temperature in Colombo urban areas using thermal (LANDSAT) remote sensing and would help the interesting parties to re-think the use of remote sensing in the field of spatial sciences.