Fog Detection over China’s Adjacent Sea Area by using the MTSAT Geostationary Satellite Data

Abstract

AbstractA fog threshold method for the detection of sea fog from Multi-function Transport Satellite (MTSAT-1R) infrared (IR) channel data is presented. This method uses principle component analysis (PCA), texture analysis, and threshold detection to extract sea fog information. A heavy sea fog episode that occurred over China's adjacent sea area during 7-8 April 2008 was detected, indicating that the fog threshold method can effectively detect sea fog areas nearly 24 hours a day. MTSAT-1R data from March 2006, June 2007, and April 2008 were processed using the fog threshold method, and sea fog coverage information was compared with the meteorological observation report data from ships. The hit rate, miss rate, and false alarm rate of sea fog detection were 66.1%, 27.3%, and 33.9%, respectively. The results show that the fog threshold method can detect the formation, evolution, and dissipation of sea fog events over period of time and that the method has superior temporal and spatial resolution relative to...