Next-Generation Microwave Radiometry Community Forum Algorithms, calibration/validation, and applications for land surfaces

About the workshop

The workshop brings together researchers, instrument developers, data-product teams, validation and in situ measurement specialists, and users working across the microwave radiometry spectrum.

Its purpose is to strengthen interaction between the L-band and higher-frequency radiometry communities, promote the combined use of observations at different frequencies, and support discussion across missions, agencies, institutes, and application areas.

Active development of L-band algorithms, new multi-frequency observing capabilities, and emerging mission concepts create significant opportunities to improve the retrieval and interpretation of land-surface variables. At the same time, stronger connections are needed between communities working at different frequencies, and between algorithm development, calibration and validation, instrumentation, and applications.

Topics

We welcome abstracts addressing microwave radiometry of land surfaces, including but not limited to:

• Soil moisture, vegetation and vegetation optical depth, freeze/thaw state, snow, land-surface temperature, drought indices, surface water, carbon cycle, and inundation
• Retrieval algorithms and forward modelling
• Calibration and validation methods
• Validation sites, field campaigns, and instrumentation
• Multi-frequency retrievals and applications
• Simulation, laboratory, and in situ measurements of the electromagnetic properties of natural media
• Future technologies and new instruments; radio frequency interference (RFI) detection and filtering
• Synergies with complementary observations, including GNSS reflectometry and synthetic aperture radar
• Operational applications, user requirements, and emerging societal needs
• Land, ocean, and cryosphere synergies

Contributions that connect traditionally separate frequency ranges, observing systems, disciplines, or application communities are especially encouraged.

Special sessions

Future L-band and multi-frequency radiometry concepts

Future satellite and airborne radiometry concepts, including high-resolution L-band approaches, wideband and multi-frequency systems, and upcoming or proposed missions.

Freeze/thaw algorithms and applications

Continuing discussions from the 2024 Freeze/Thaw Workshop in Guelph, Canada: algorithm development, intercomparison, validation, product consistency, applications, and opportunities for coordinated community activities.

Submit an abstract

Abstracts should briefly describe the scientific question, methods, principal results or expected contribution, and relevance to the workshop themes. State your presentation preference: oral, poster, or no preference.

The scientific programme will be built from the submitted abstracts, and may include oral presentations, posters, panel discussions, and focused working sessions.

Important dates

Programme TBA

The workshop begins on the morning of Tuesday 26 January 2027 and concludes by 16:00 on Thursday 28 January. The schedule leaves ample room for discussion, networking, and the development of community recommendations and collaborative activities.

The detailed programme will be published here after acceptance notifications.

Venue

Finnish Meteorological Institute — Dynamicum
Erik Palménin aukio 1, 00560 Helsinki, Finland

Dynamicum is in Kumpula, a short bus ride from Helsinki city centre. The airport is about 30 minutes from the centre by train.

Expect January weather: temperatures around −10 °C, snow, and roughly six hours of daylight. Bring warm boots with grip.

Registration and practical information TBA

Registration is free of charge and will open in autumn 2026. Information on accommodation, the workshop dinner, and possible travel support will be added here.

Committees

Scientific steering committee

• Simone Bircher — MeteoSwiss, Switzerland
• Iris de Gélis — Estellus-MW, Observatoire de Paris, France
• Hyunglok Kim — GIST, South Korea
• John Kimball — University of Montana, USA
• Yann Kerr — CESBIO, France
• Giovanni Macelloni — IFAC, Italy
• Sidharth Misra — JPL, USA
• Colleen Mortimer — Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canada
• Ghislain Picard — University of Grenoble, France
• María Piles — University of Valencia, Spain
• Alexandre Roy — Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Canada
• Mike Schwank — WSL / Gamma, Switzerland
• Jeff Walker — Monash University, Australia
• Pierre Zeiger — University of Grenoble, France

FMI organising committee

• Andreas Colliander
• Manu Holmberg
• Anna Kontu
• Juha Lemmetyinen
• Juliette Ortet
• Kimmo Rautiainen
• Lina Zschenderlein

Contact

Questions about abstracts, the programme, or practical arrangements — contact us by email.