Temperature is a powerful tracer to estimate flows in the hyporheic zone. Temperature time series can be used to obtain estimates of fluid flux, and techniques can be employed to extend these estimates to produce detailed plan-view flux maps. Key advantages of the use of heat as a tracer include that sensors are cheap, and that data can be collected and interpreted without the need for expensive and time consuming laboratory analyses. While collecting temperature data in saturated sediments is relatively straightforward, several factors influence the reliability of flux estimates based on temperature time series. Sensor precision and deployment are particularly important in estimates of upwelling. Also, processing temperature time series data involves complex steps including filtering temperature signals, selection of appropriate thermal parameters, and choosing which analytical or numerical solution to use. A synthesis of diurnal temperature signal based methods will be presented, providing details on; optimal sensor deployment, data processing, model parameterisation and an overview of computing tools available. Recent advances in diurnal temperature methods also provide the opportunity to determine time series of thermal diffusivity, and sensor spacing. The utility of these parameters offers opportunities to determine the reliability of flux estimates from the use of heat as a tracer.