On estimating the sensible heat flux over land

The sensible heat flux from a land surface can be estimated from the ground temperature, and the air speed and air temperature at a single height in the surface layer. To test this technique, a study was made over a newly-planted wheat field in southwestern Kansas. Hourly averages of the sensible heat flux were calculated for a two day period. The data consisted of infrared measurements of the ground temperature, and of wind speed and air temperature measurements made at 1.5 m. The results obtained were in close agreement with sensible heat flux calculations derived from profile measurements of wind speed and air temperature made concurrently at the same site.