Annual temperature cycle obtained from AVHRR (1981-2004) and compared to in situ measurements

ANNUAL AND DIURNAL TEMPERATURE CYCLE The GSL average yearly temperature cycle has an amplitude of nearly 25 degrees Celsius, with an average mid-winter surface temperature near 1 degree Celsius and an average summer surface temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. GSL temperature trends show considerable variability as the lake temperatures are strongly coupled to transient weather patterns. Lake temperature variability is highest during the late winter and spring and lowest during the fall. An average diurnal cycle of 1-2 degrees Celsius in lake surface temperature, derived using the temperature difference between the daytime and nighttime satellite passes, exists from February through September, with no significant diurnal signal at other times. The seasonal variations in the diurnal range in surface temperature are likely tied to seasonal variations in thermal stratification of the shallow lake. For more information on the climatology and variability of satellite-derived temperature of the Great Salt Lake: Satellite-derived Temperature Poster

Lake temperature for 2003 compared to mean satellite-derived LST (1981-2004)

INTERANNUAL VARIABILITY Due to the shallow nature of the GSL, large weekly variations are noted in LST, as the lake responds to periods of unseasonably cool or warm atmospheric temperatures. The example above illustrates how the record-heat of the summer of 2003 led to very warm lake temperatures.