Characteristics of Ground Surface Temperature Predicted by a Multiple Soil Layer Model

Abstract

This study investigates some characteristics of soil surface temperature calculated form a multiple soil layer model (MSLM). Assuming a diurnal forcing in the model temporal variations in surface temperature are analyzed. The amplitude of temperature variation is smaller compared with theoretically-derived amplitude. The MSLM potentially underestimates absolute values of surface temperature. It is suggested that the thickness of the top soil layer of the model be set at 0.1 - 1 mm in order to obtain realistic temperatures.