Using GOES thermal infrared data to map freeze zones for citrus and consequences for water management

Abstract

Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) thermal infrared data were used to study Florida citrus damage from four major freeze events during the period 1963–1982 and the impact on water management. The 1963 freeze predated satellite data, but extrapolations were made using the average low temperature obtained from recent satellite data. The results showed that satellite temperature patterns closely matched the citrus damage patterns. Consistent patterns of lower temperature for the west coast area and the interior portion of central Florida were found and were used to identify high‐risk freeze areas. Severe citrus damage for a large area in south central Florida north and west of Lake Okeechobee appears to be attributable to the drier surface resulting from severe drought.