Dew Effects on Passive Microwave Observations of Land Surfaces

Water in its various forms affects passive microwave measurements of the Earth. Current and future satellite based microwave radiometer observing systems collect data during times when dew may be present. In this article, a review of studies dealing with or related to the effect of dew on microwave radiometer observations is conducted. The basic principles involved in dew formation are described, and its magnitude is quantified. Results indicate that dew is unlikely to have a significant effect on passive microwave observations at frequencies of interest for soil moisture remote sensing.