scholarly journals Empirical Modeling of Layered Integrated Water Vapor Using Surface Mixing Ratio in Nigeria

2009 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 369-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Adeyemi
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapor ◽  
Empirical Modeling ◽  
Specific Humidity ◽  
Mixing Ratio ◽  
Coastal Station ◽  
Northern Regions ◽  
Surface Mixing ◽  
Kolmogorov Smirnov ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Upper Level

Abstract Using the available upper-air data for three stations in Nigeria (Lagos, a coastal station; Minna, an inland station; and Kano, a sub-Sahelian station), an intensive examination has been carried out on the linkage between surface mixing ratio rs and layered integrated water vapor W (g cm−2) over Nigeria. The goal was to identify the seasonal distribution of the parameter and to develop models that can best be used to estimate W from surface mixing ratio. To achieve these objectives, integrated water vapor at the low level (WL), midlevel (Wm), and upper level (Wu) and total column integrated water WT have been calculated using daily values of upper-air data spanning over a decade from the above three radiosonde stations. A relationship of the form W = αrs + β (where α and β are constants) has been established between W and rs using the analysis-of-variance (ANOVA) technique. Tests carried out on the models, using daily soundings made in 1990 for Lagos, 1983 for Minna, and 1991 for Kano, respectively, gave encouraging results as established by the use of Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests. Owing to the difference in the climatological patterns of precipitation among the different regions in Nigeria (i.e., southern, midland, and northern regions) as represented by the three stations, no single relationship was found to be suitable for the entire country of Nigeria. Earlier models, generally of the form W = αqb (where α and b are constants and q is specific humidity), were found to be less adequate over the stations.

scholarly journals Air temperature equation derived from sonic temperature and water vapor mixing ratio for air flow sampled through closed-path eddy-covariance flux systems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinhua Zhou ◽  
Tian Gao ◽  
Eugene S. Takle ◽  
Xiaojie Zhen ◽  
Andrew E. Suyker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapor ◽  
Eddy Covariance ◽  
Water Vapor Pressure ◽  
Sonic Anemometer ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Specific Humidity ◽  
Closed Path ◽  
Mixing Ratio ◽  
Water Vapor Mixing Ratio

Abstract. Air temperar (T) plays a fundamental role in many aspects of the flux exchanges between the atmosphere and ecosystems. Additionally, it is critical to know where (in relation to other essential measurements) and at what frequency T must be measured to accurately describe such exchanges. In closed-path eddy-covariance (CPEC) flux systems, T can be computed from the sonic temperature (Ts) and water vapor mixing ratio that are measured by the fast-response senosrs of three-dimensional sonic anemometer and infrared gas analyzer, respectively. T then is computed by use of either T = Ts (1 + 0.51q)−1, where q is specific humidity, or T = Ts (1 + 0.32e / P)−1, where e is water vapor pressure and P is atmospheric pressure. Converting q and e / P into the same water vapor mixing ratio analytically reveals the difference between these two equations. This difference in a CPEC system could reach ±0.18 K, bringing an uncertainty into the accuracy of T from both equations and raises the question of which equation is better. To clarify the uncertainty and to answer this question, the derivation of T equations in terms of Ts and H2O-related variables is thoroughly studied. The two equations above were developed with approximations. Therefore, neither of their accuracies were evaluated, nor was the question answered. Based on the first principles, this study derives the T equation in terms of Ts and water vapor molar mixing ratio (χH2O) without any assumption and approximation. Thus, this equation itself does not have any error and the accuracy in T from this equation (equation-computed T) depends solely on the measurement accuracies of Ts and χH2O. Based on current specifications for Ts and χH2O in the CPEC300 series and given their maximized measurement uncertainties, the accuracy in equation-computed T is specified within ±1.01 K. This accuracy uncertainty is propagated mainly (±1.00 K) from the uncertainty in Ts measurements and little (±0.03 K) from the uncertainty in χH2O measurements. Apparently, the improvement on measurement technologies particularly for Ts would be a key to narrow this accuracy range. Under normal sensor and weather conditions, the specified accuracy is overestimated and actual accuracy is better. Equation-computed T has frequency response equivalent to high-frequency Ts and is insensitive to solar contamination during measurements. As synchronized at a temporal scale of measurement frequency and matched at a spatial scale of measurement volume with all aerodynamic and thermodynamic variables, this T has its advanced merits in boundary-layer meteorology and applied meteorology.

scholarly journals Intercomparison of two cavity ring-down spectroscopy analyzers for atmospheric <sup>13</sup>CO<sub>2</sub>  ∕ <sup>12</sup>CO<sub>2</sub> measurement

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 3879-3891 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiaping Pang ◽  
Xuefa Wen ◽  
Xiaomin Sun ◽  
Kuan Huang
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapor ◽  
Co2 Concentration ◽  
Calibration Method ◽  
Vapor Concentration ◽  
Water Vapor Concentration ◽  
Mixing Ratio ◽  
Ambient Conditions ◽  
Significant Linear Correlation ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Water Vapor Mixing Ratio

Abstract. Isotope ratio infrared spectroscopy (IRIS) permits continuous in situ measurement of CO2 isotopic composition under ambient conditions. Previous studies have mainly focused on single IRIS instrument performance; few studies have considered the comparability among different IRIS instruments. In this study, we carried out laboratory and ambient measurements using two Picarro CO2δ13C analyzers (G1101-i and G2201-i (newer version)) and evaluated their performance and comparability. The best precision was 0.08–0.15 ‰ for G1101-i and 0.01–0.04 ‰ for G2201-i. The dependence of δ13C on CO2 concentration was 0.46 ‰ per 100 ppm and 0.09 ‰ per 100 ppm, the instrument drift ranged from 0.92–1.09 ‰ and 0.19–0.37 ‰, and the sensitivity of δ13C to the water vapor mixing ratio was 1.01 ‰ ∕ % H2O and 0.09 ‰ ∕ % H2O for G1101-i and G2201-i, respectively. The accuracy after correction by the two-point mixing ratio gain and offset calibration method ranged from −0.04–0.09 ‰ for G1101-i and −0.13–0.03 ‰ for G2201-i. The sensitivity of δ13C to the water vapor mixing ratio improved from 1.01 ‰ ∕ % H2O before the upgrade of G1101-i (G1101-i-original) to 0.15 ‰ ∕ % H2O after the upgrade of G1101-i (G1101-i-upgraded). Atmospheric δ13C measured by G1101-i and G2201-i captured the rapid changes in atmospheric δ13C signals on hourly to diurnal cycle scales, with a difference of 0.07 ± 0.24 ‰ between G1101-i-original and G2201-i and 0.05 ± 0.30 ‰ between G1101-i-upgraded and G2201-i. A significant linear correlation was observed between the δ13C difference of G1101-i-original and G2201-i and the water vapor concentration, but there was no significant correlation between the δ13C difference of G1101-i-upgraded and G2201-i and the water vapor concentration. The difference in the Keeling intercept values decreased from 1.24 ‰ between G1101-i-original and G2201-i to 0.36 ‰ between G1101-i-upgraded and G2201-i, which indicates the importance of consistency among different IRIS instruments.

scholarly journals Air temperature equation derived from sonic temperature and water vapor mixing ratio for turbulent airflow sampled through closed-path eddy-covariance flux systems

2022 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-115
Author(s):  
Xinhua Zhou ◽  
Tian Gao ◽  
Eugene S. Takle ◽  
Xiaojie Zhen ◽  
Andrew E. Suyker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapor ◽  
Eddy Covariance ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Water Vapor Pressure ◽  
Sonic Anemometer ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Specific Humidity ◽  
Closed Path ◽  
Mixing Ratio ◽  
Water Vapor Mixing Ratio

Abstract. Air temperature (T) plays a fundamental role in many aspects of the flux exchanges between the atmosphere and ecosystems. Additionally, knowing where (in relation to other essential measurements) and at what frequency T must be measured is critical to accurately describing such exchanges. In closed-path eddy-covariance (CPEC) flux systems, T can be computed from the sonic temperature (Ts) and water vapor mixing ratio that are measured by the fast-response sensors of a three-dimensional sonic anemometer and infrared CO2–H2O analyzer, respectively. T is then computed by use of either T=Ts1+0.51q-1, where q is specific humidity, or T=Ts1+0.32e/P-1, where e is water vapor pressure and P is atmospheric pressure. Converting q and e/P into the same water vapor mixing ratio analytically reveals the difference between these two equations. This difference in a CPEC system could reach ±0.18 K, bringing an uncertainty into the accuracy of T from both equations and raising the question of which equation is better. To clarify the uncertainty and to answer this question, the derivation of T equations in terms of Ts and H2O-related variables is thoroughly studied. The two equations above were developed with approximations; therefore, neither of their accuracies was evaluated, nor was the question answered. Based on first principles, this study derives the T equation in terms of Ts and the water vapor molar mixing ratio (χH2O) without any assumption and approximation. Thus, this equation inherently lacks error, and the accuracy in T from this equation (equation-computed T) depends solely on the measurement accuracies of Ts and χH2O. Based on current specifications for Ts and χH2O in the CPEC300 series, and given their maximized measurement uncertainties, the accuracy in equation-computed T is specified within ±1.01 K. This accuracy uncertainty is propagated mainly (±1.00 K) from the uncertainty in Ts measurements and a little (±0.02 K) from the uncertainty in χH2O measurements. An improvement in measurement technologies, particularly for Ts, would be a key to narrowing this accuracy range. Under normal sensor and weather conditions, the specified accuracy range is overestimated, and actual accuracy is better. Equation-computed T has a frequency response equivalent to high-frequency Ts and is insensitive to solar contamination during measurements. Synchronized at a temporal scale of the measurement frequency and matched at a spatial scale of measurement volume with all aerodynamic and thermodynamic variables, this T has advanced merits in boundary-layer meteorology and applied meteorology.

scholarly journals Climatological moisture sources for the Western North American Monsoon through a Lagrangian approach: their influence on precipitation intensity

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulina Ordoñez ◽  
Raquel Nieto ◽  
Luis Gimeno ◽  
Pedro Ribera ◽  
David Gallego ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapor ◽  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
North American ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Caribbean Sea ◽  
Lagrangian Approach ◽  
Specific Humidity ◽  
North American Monsoon ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Upper Level

Abstract. This work examines the origin of atmospheric water vapor arriving to the western North American monsoon (WNAM) region over a 34-year period (1981–2014) using a Lagrangian approach. This methodology computes budgets of evaporation minus precipitation (E−P) by calculating changes in the specific humidity of thousands of air particles advected into the study area by the observed winds. The length of the period analyzed (34 years) allows the method to identify oceanic and terrestrial sources of moisture to the WNAM region from a climatological perspective. During the wet season, the WNAM region itself is on average the main evaporative source, followed by the Gulf of California. However, water vapor originating from the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and terrestrial eastern Mexico is found to influence regional-scale rainfall generation. Enhanced (reduced) moisture transport from the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico from 4 to 6 days before precipitation events seems to be responsible for increased (decreased) rainfall intensity on regional scales during the monsoon peak. Westward propagating mid- to upper-level inverted troughs (IVs) seem to favor these water vapor fluxes from the east. In particular, a 200 % increase in the moisture flux from the Caribbean Sea to the WNAM region is found to be followed by the occurrence of heavy precipitation in the WNAM area a few days later. Low-level troughs off the coast of northwestern Mexico and upper-level IVs over the Gulf of Mexico are also related to these extreme rainfall events.

scholarly journals Inter-comparison of two cavity ring-down spectroscopy analyzers for atmospheric <sup>13</sup>CO<sub>2</sub> / <sup>12</sup>CO<sub>2</sub> measurement

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiaping Pang ◽  
Xuefa Wen ◽  
Xiaomin Sun ◽  
Kuan Huang
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapor ◽  
Co2 Concentration ◽  
Calibration Method ◽  
Vapor Concentration ◽  
Mixing Ratio ◽  
Ambient Conditions ◽  
Significant Linear Correlation ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Water Vapor Mixing Ratio

Abstract. The isotope ratio infrared spectroscopy (IRIS) permits in situ and continuous measurements of CO2 isotopic composition under ambient conditions. Previous studies mainly focused on single IRIS instrument performance, few studies have paid attention to the comparability among different IRIS instruments. In this study, we carried out laboratory and ambient measurements of two Picarro CO2 δ13C analyzers (G1101-i and G2201-i), and evaluated their performance and comparability. The best precision were 0.08 ~ 0.15 ‰ and 0.01 ~ 0.04 ‰, the dependence of δ13C on CO2 concentration were 0.46 ‰ per 100 ppm and 0.09 ‰ per 100 ppm, the instrument drift ranged from 0.92 ~ 1.09 ‰ and 0.19 ~ 0.37 ‰. After upgradation of G1101-i, the sensitivity of δ13C on water vapor mixing ratio were 0.15 ‰ / % H2O and 0.13 ‰ / % H2O for the G1101-i and G2201-i, respectively. The accuracy after corrected by the two-point mixing ratio gain and offset calibration method ranged from −0.04 ~ 0.09 ‰ and −0.13 ~ 0.03 ‰ for G1101-i and G2201-i, respectively. Atmospheric δ13C measurements captured the rapidly changing atmospheric δ13C signals, with the difference of 0.07 ± 0.24 ‰ and 0.05 ± 0.30 ‰ between G1101-i upgraded before and after and G2201-i. Before upgradation of G1101-i, a significant linear correlation was observed between the δ13C difference and water vapor concentration, but there is no significant correlation after upgradation of G1101-i. The difference of Keeling intercept values between G1101-i and G2201-i decrease from 1.24 ‰ to 0.36 ‰, which indicate the importance of consistency among different IRIS instruments.

scholarly journals Assessment of Tropospheric Concentrations of NO2 from the TROPOMI/Sentinel-5 Precursor for the Estimation of Long-Term Exposure to Surface NO2 over South Korea

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 1877
Author(s):  
Ukkyo Jeong ◽  
Hyunkee Hong
Keyword(s):  
South Korea ◽  
Spatial Resolution ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
Mixing Ratio ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Mixing Ratios ◽  
Tropospheric No2 ◽  
Korean Ministry ◽  
Surface Mixing ◽  
Rural Sites

Since April 2018, the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) has provided data on tropospheric NO2 column concentrations (CTROPOMI) with unprecedented spatial resolution. This study aims to assess the capability of TROPOMI to acquire high spatial resolution data regarding surface NO2 mixing ratios. In general, the instrument effectively detected major and moderate sources of NO2 over South Korea with a clear weekday–weekend distinction. We compared the CTROPOMI with surface NO2 mixing ratio measurements from an extensive ground-based network over South Korea operated by the Korean Ministry of Environment (SKME; more than 570 sites), for 2019. Spatiotemporally collocated CTROPOMI and SKME showed a moderate correlation (correlation coefficient, r = 0.67), whereas their annual mean values at each site showed a higher correlation (r = 0.84). The CTROPOMI and SKME were well correlated around the Seoul metropolitan area, where significant amounts of NO2 prevailed throughout the year, whereas they showed lower correlation at rural sites. We converted the tropospheric NO2 from TROPOMI to the surface mixing ratio (STROPOMI) using the EAC4 (ECMWF Atmospheric Composition Reanalysis 4) profile shape, for quantitative comparison with the SKME. The estimated STROPOMI generally underestimated the in-situ value obtained, SKME (slope = 0.64), as reported in previous studies.

scholarly journals Characteristics of Extratropical Cyclones That Cause Tornadoes in Italy: A Preliminary Study

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 180
Author(s):  
Eigo Tochimoto ◽  
Mario Marcello Miglietta ◽  
Leonardo Bagaglini ◽  
Roberto Ingrosso ◽  
Hiroshi Niino
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Convective Available Potential Energy ◽  
Static Stability ◽  
Extratropical Cyclones ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
Southeastern Us ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Upper Level ◽  
Strong Evaporation

Characteristics of extratropical cyclones that cause tornadoes in Italy are investigated. Tornadoes between 2007 and 2016 are analyzed, and statistical analysis of the associated cyclone structures and environments is performed using the JRA-55 reanalysis. Tornadoes are distributed sporadically around the cyclone location within a window of 10° × 10°. The difference in the cyclone tracks partially explains the seasonal variability in the distribution of tornadoes. The highest number of tornadoes occur south of the cyclone centers, mainly in the warm sector, while a few are observed along the cold front. Composite mesoscale parameters are examined to identify the environmental conditions associated with tornadoes in different seasons. Potential instability is favorable to tornado development in autumn. The highest convective available potential energy (CAPE) in this season is associated with relatively high-temperature and humidity at low-levels, mainly due to the strong evaporation over the warm Mediterranean Sea. Upper-level potential vorticity (PV) anomalies and the associated cold air reduce the static stability above the cyclone center, mainly in spring and winter. On average, the values of CAPE are lower than for US tornadoes and comparable with those occurring in Japan, while storm relative helicity (SREH) is comparable with US tornadoes and higher than Japanese tornadoes, indicating that the environmental conditions for Italian tornadoes have peculiar characteristics. Overall, the conditions emerging in this study are close to the high-shear, low-CAPE environments typical of cool-season tornadoes in the Southeastern US.

scholarly journals Estimates of the Water Vapor Climate Feedback during El Niño–Southern Oscillation

2009 ◽  
Vol 22 (23) ◽  
pp. 6404-6412 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. E. Dessler ◽  
S. Wong
Keyword(s):  
Global Warming ◽  
Water Vapor ◽  
El Niño ◽  
Climate Models ◽  
El Nino ◽  
Southern Oscillation ◽  
Specific Humidity ◽  
El Niño Southern Oscillation ◽  
El Nino Southern Oscillation ◽  
Water Vapor Feedback

Abstract The strength of the water vapor feedback has been estimated by analyzing the changes in tropospheric specific humidity during El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycles. This analysis is done in climate models driven by observed sea surface temperatures [Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project (AMIP) runs], preindustrial runs of fully coupled climate models, and in two reanalysis products, the 40-yr European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Re-Analysis (ERA-40) and the NASA Modern Era Retrospective-Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA). The water vapor feedback during ENSO-driven climate variations in the AMIP models ranges from 1.9 to 3.7 W m−2 K−1, in the control runs it ranges from 1.4 to 3.9 W m−2 K−1, and in the ERA-40 and MERRA it is 3.7 and 4.7 W m−2 K−1, respectively. Taken as a group, these values are higher than previous estimates of the water vapor feedback in response to century-long global warming. Also examined is the reason for the large spread in the ENSO-driven water vapor feedback among the models and between the models and the reanalyses. The models and the reanalyses show a consistent relationship between the variations in the tropical surface temperature over an ENSO cycle and the radiative response to the associated changes in specific humidity. However, the feedback is defined as the ratio of the radiative response to the change in the global average temperature. Differences in extratropical temperatures will, therefore, lead to different inferred feedbacks, and this is the root cause of spread in feedbacks observed here. This is also the likely reason that the feedback inferred from ENSO is larger than for long-term global warming.

scholarly journals Barotropic Regeneration of Upper-Level Synoptic Disturbances in Different Configurations of the Zonal Weather Regime

2008 ◽  
Vol 65 (10) ◽  
pp. 3159-3178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gwendal Rivière
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Deformation Field ◽  
Regeneration Process ◽  
Barotropic Model ◽  
Weather Regime ◽  
The North ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Upper Level ◽  
Composite Maps ◽  
Large Scale Flow

Barotropic dynamics of upper-tropospheric midlatitude disturbances evolving in different configurations of the zonal weather regime (i.e., in different zonal-like large-scale flows) were studied using observational analyses and barotropic model experiments. The contraction stage of upper-level disturbances that follows their elongation stage leads to an increase of eddy kinetic energy that is called the barotropic regeneration process in this text. This barotropic mechanism is studied through notions of barotropic critical regions (BtCRs) and effective deformation that have been introduced in a previous paper. The effective deformation field is equal to the difference between the square of the large-scale deformation magnitude and the square of the large-scale vorticity. Regions where the effective deformation is positive correspond to regions where the large-scale flow tends to strongly stretch synoptic disturbances. A BtCR is an area separating two large-scale regions of positive effective deformation, one located upstream and on the south side of the jet and the other downstream and on the north side. Such a region presents a discontinuity in the orientation of the dilatation axes and is a potential area where the barotropic regeneration process may occur. Winter days presenting a zonal weather regime in the 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis dataset are decomposed, via a partitioning algorithm, into different configurations of the effective deformation field at 300 hPa. A six-cluster partition is obtained. Composite maps of the barotropic generation rate for each cluster exhibit a succession of negative and positive values on both sides of the BtCRs. It confirms statistically that the barotropic regeneration mechanism occurs preferentially about BtCRs. Numerical experiments using a forced barotropic model on the sphere are performed. Each experiment consists of adding a synoptic-scale perturbation to one of the zonal-like jet configurations found in observations, which is kept fixed with time. The combined effects of the effective deformation and nonlinearities are shown to be crucial to reproduce the barotropic regeneration process about BtCRs.

Subcloud and Cloud-Base Latent Heat Fluxes during Shallow Cumulus Convection

2019 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 1081-1100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil P. Lareau
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Water Vapor ◽  
Latent Heat ◽  
Surface Fluxes ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Cloud Base ◽  
Cumulus Convection ◽  
Mixing Ratio ◽  
Convective Boundary ◽  
Water Vapor Mixing Ratio

Abstract Doppler and Raman lidar observations of vertical velocity and water vapor mixing ratio are used to probe the physics and statistics of subcloud and cloud-base latent heat fluxes during cumulus convection at the ARM Southern Great Plains (SGP) site in Oklahoma, United States. The statistical results show that latent heat fluxes increase with height from the surface up to ~0.8Zi (where Zi is the convective boundary layer depth) and then decrease to ~0 at Zi. Peak fluxes aloft exceeding 500 W m−2 are associated with periods of increased cumulus cloud cover and stronger jumps in the mean humidity profile. These entrainment fluxes are much larger than the surface fluxes, indicating substantial drying over the 0–0.8Zi layer accompanied by moistening aloft as the CBL deepens over the diurnal cycle. We also show that the boundary layer humidity budget is approximately closed by computing the flux divergence across the 0–0.8Zi layer. Composite subcloud velocity and water vapor anomalies show that clouds are linked to coherent updraft and moisture plumes. The moisture anomaly is Gaussian, most pronounced above 0.8Zi and systematically wider than the velocity anomaly, which has a narrow central updraft flanked by downdrafts. This size and shape disparity results in downdrafts characterized by a high water vapor mixing ratio and thus a broad joint probability density function (JPDF) of velocity and mixing ratio in the upper CBL. We also show that cloud-base latent heat fluxes can be both positive and negative and that the instantaneous positive fluxes can be very large (~10 000 W m−2). However, since cloud fraction tends to be small, the net impact of these fluxes remains modest.

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