We propose a simple scheme to estimate surface evaporation over large heterogeneous areas using remote sensing observations. Our approach is based on a relationship between easily measured surface parameters (e.g. radiometric surface temperature) and a surrogate for effective surface resistance. Preliminary results, using remotely sensed data sets from AVHRR NOAA-14 over the Southern Great Plains, show good agreement. The proposed approach appears to be more reliable and easily applicable for operational estimation of evaporation over large areas. ¿ 1999 American Geophysical Union