Satellite climate extremes index of drylands

Abstract

A satellite index for detecting climate extremes, such as droughts and overhumification after heavy precipitation in drylands has been suggested, i.e., a Satellite Climate Extremes Index. The Satellite Climate Extremes Index represents summed deviations from the long-term average values of the albedo, the surface temperature, the soil moisture and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index normalized to standard deviation. The properties of using this index to study the desertification dynamics based on the example of the northwestern Caspian region are discussed.