scholarly journals Quantifying the value of redundant measurements at GCOS Reference Upper-Air Network sites

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 3813-3823 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Madonna ◽  
M. Rosoldi ◽  
J. Güldner ◽  
A. Haefele ◽  
R. Kivi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Water Vapour ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Microwave Radiometer ◽  
Raman Lidar ◽  
Mutual Correlation ◽  
Random Uncertainty ◽  
Lidar Measurements ◽  
Integrated Water Vapour ◽  
Microwave Radiometers

Abstract. The potential for measurement redundancy to reduce uncertainty in atmospheric variables has not been investigated comprehensively for climate observations. We evaluated the usefulness of entropy and mutual correlation concepts, as defined in information theory, for quantifying random uncertainty and redundancy in time series of the integrated water vapour (IWV) and water vapour mixing ratio profiles provided by five highly instrumented GRUAN (GCOS, Global Climate Observing System, Reference Upper-Air Network) stations in 2010–2012. Results show that the random uncertainties on the IWV measured with radiosondes, global positioning system, microwave and infrared radiometers, and Raman lidar measurements differed by less than 8%. Comparisons of time series of IWV content from ground-based remote sensing instruments with in situ soundings showed that microwave radiometers have the highest redundancy with the IWV time series measured by radiosondes and therefore the highest potential to reduce the random uncertainty of the radiosondes time series. Moreover, the random uncertainty of a time series from one instrument can be reduced by ~ 60% by constraining the measurements with those from another instrument. The best reduction of random uncertainty is achieved by conditioning Raman lidar measurements with microwave radiometer measurements. Specific instruments are recommended for atmospheric water vapour measurements at GRUAN sites. This approach can be applied to the study of redundant measurements for other climate variables.

scholarly journals Quantifying the value of redundant measurements at GRUAN sites

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 6327-6357 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Madonna ◽  
M. Rosoldi ◽  
J. Güldner ◽  
A. Haefele ◽  
R. Kivi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Water Vapor ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Microwave Radiometer ◽  
Atmospheric Water Vapor ◽  
Raman Lidar ◽  
Atmospheric Water ◽  
Mutual Correlation ◽  
Random Uncertainty ◽  
Lidar Measurements

Abstract. The potential for measurement redundancy to reduce uncertainty in atmospheric variables has not been investigated comprehensively for climate observations. We evaluated the usefulness of entropy and mutual correlation concepts, as defined in information theory, for quantifying random uncertainty and redundancy in time series of atmospheric water vapor provided by five highly instrumented GRUAN (GCOS [Global Climate Observing System] Reference Upper-Air Network) Stations in 2010–2012. Results show that the random uncertainties for radiosonde, frost-point hygrometer, Global Positioning System, microwave and infrared radiometers, and Raman lidar measurements differed by less than 8%. Comparisons of time series of the Integrated Water Vapor (IWV) content from ground-based remote sensing instruments with in situ soundings showed that microwave radiometers have the highest redundancy and therefore the highest potential to reduce random uncertainty of IWV time series estimated by radiosondes. Moreover, the random uncertainty of a time series from one instrument should be reduced of ~ 60% by constraining the measurements with those from another instrument. The best reduction of random uncertainty resulted from conditioning of Raman lidar measurements with microwave radiometer measurements. Specific instruments are recommended for atmospheric water vapor measurements at GRUAN sites. This approach can be applied to the study of redundant measurements for other climate variables.

scholarly journals Water vapour profiles from Raman lidar automatically calibrated by microwave radiometer data during HOPE

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 6567-6599 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Foth ◽  
H. Baars ◽  
P. Di Girolamo ◽  
B. Pospichal
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapour ◽  
Continuous Measurement ◽  
Microwave Radiometer ◽  
Calibration Method ◽  
Calibration Factor ◽  
Raman Lidar ◽  
Clear Sky ◽  
Lidar Measurements ◽  
Integrated Water Vapour ◽  
Good Agreement

Abstract. In this paper, we present a method to derive water vapour profiles from Raman lidar measurements calibrated by the integrated water vapour (IWV) from a collocated microwave radiometer during the intense observation campaign HOPE in the frame of the HD(CP)2 initiative. The simultaneous observation of a microwave radiometer and a Raman lidar allowed an operational and continuous measurement of water vapour profiles also during cloudy conditions. The calibration method provides results in a good agreement with conventional methods based on radiosondes. The calibration factor derived from the proposed IWV method is very stable with a relative uncertainty of 6%. This stability allows to calibrate the lidar even in the presence of clouds using the calibration factor determined during the closest in time clear sky interval. Based on the application of this approach, it is possible to retrieve water vapour profiles during all non-precipitating conditions. A statistical analysis shows a good agreement between the lidar measurements and collocated radiosondes. The relative biases amount to less than 6.7% below 2 km.

scholarly journals Water vapour profiles from Raman lidar automatically calibrated by microwave radiometer data during HOPE

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (14) ◽  
pp. 7753-7763 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Foth ◽  
H. Baars ◽  
P. Di Girolamo ◽  
B. Pospichal
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapour ◽  
Continuous Measurement ◽  
Microwave Radiometer ◽  
Calibration Method ◽  
Calibration Factor ◽  
Raman Lidar ◽  
Clear Sky ◽  
Lidar Measurements ◽  
Integrated Water Vapour ◽  
Good Agreement

Abstract. In this paper, we present a method to derive water vapour profiles from Raman lidar measurements calibrated by the integrated water vapour (IWV) from a collocated microwave radiometer during the intense observation campaign HOPE in the frame of the HD(CP)2 initiative. The simultaneous observation of a microwave radiometer and a Raman lidar allowed an operational and continuous measurement of water vapour profiles also during cloudy conditions. The calibration method provides results which are in a good agreement with conventional methods based on radiosondes. The calibration factor derived from the proposed IWV method is very stable with a relative uncertainty of 5 %. This stability allows for the calibration of the lidar even in the presence of clouds using the calibration factor determined during the most recent clear sky interval. Based on the application of this approach, it is possible to retrieve water vapour profiles during all non-precipitating conditions. A statistical analysis shows a good agreement between the lidar measurements and collocated radiosondes. The relative biases amount to less than 6.7 % below 2 km.

scholarly journals Tropospheric water vapour and relative humidity profiles from lidar and microwave radiometry

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 1201-1211 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Navas-Guzmán ◽  
J. Fernández-Gálvez ◽  
M. J. Granados-Muñoz ◽  
J. L. Guerrero-Rascado ◽  
J. A. Bravo-Aranda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Water Vapour ◽  
Microwave Radiometer ◽  
Radiosonde Data ◽  
Mixing Ratio ◽  
Raman Lidar ◽  
Night Time ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Lidar Measurements ◽  
Humidity Profiles

Abstract. In this paper, we outline an iterative method to calibrate the water vapour mixing ratio profiles retrieved from Raman lidar measurements. Simultaneous and co-located radiosonde data are used for this purpose and the calibration results obtained during a radiosonde campaign in summer and autumn 2011 are presented. The water vapour profiles measured during night-time by the Raman lidar and radiosondes are compared and the differences between the methodologies are discussed. Then, a new approach to obtain relative humidity profiles by combination of simultaneous profiles of temperature (retrieved from a microwave radiometer) and water vapour mixing ratio (from a Raman lidar) is addressed. In the last part of this work, a statistical analysis of water vapour mixing ratio and relative humidity profiles obtained during 1 year of simultaneous measurements is presented.

scholarly journals Tropospheric water vapour above Switzerland over the last 12 years

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (16) ◽  
pp. 5975-5988 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Morland ◽  
M. Collaud Coen ◽  
K. Hocke ◽  
P. Jeannet ◽  
C. Mätzler
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Water Vapour ◽  
Grid Point ◽  
Microwave Radiometer ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Seasonal Trends ◽  
Climate Change Effects ◽  
Integrated Water Vapour ◽  
Mountain Weather

Abstract. Integrated Water vapour (IWV) has been measured since 1994 by the TROWARA microwave radiometer in Bern, Switzerland. Homogenization techniques were used to identify and correct step changes in IWV related to instrument problems. IWV from radiosonde, GPS and sun photometer (SPM) was used in the homogenisation process as well as partial IWV columns between valley and mountain weather stations. The average IWV of the homogenised TROWARA time series was 14.4 mm over the 1996–2007 period, with maximum and minimum monthly average values of 22.4 mm and 8 mm occurring in August and January, respectively. A weak diurnal cycle in TROWARA IWV was detected with an amplitude of 0.32 mm, a maximum at 21:00 UT and a minimum at 11:00 UT. For 1996–2007, TROWARA trends were compared with those calculated from the Payerne radiosonde and the closest ECMWF grid point to Bern. Using least squares analysis, the IWV time series of radiosondes at Payerne, ECMWF, and TROWARA showed consistent positive trends from 1996 to 2007. The radiosondes measured an IWV trend of 0.45±0.29%/y, the TROWARA radiometer observed a trend of 0.39±0.44%/y, and ECMWF operational analysis gave a trend of 0.25±0.34%/y. Since IWV has a strong and variable annual cycle, a seasonal trend analysis (Mann-Kendall analysis) was also performed. The seasonal trends are stronger by a factor 10 or so compared to the full year trends above. The positive IWV trends of the summer months are partly compensated by the negative trends of the winter months. The strong seasonal trends of IWV on regional scale underline the necessity of long-term monitoring of IWV for detection,understanding, and forecast of climate change effects in the Alpine region.

scholarly journals Tropospheric water vapour and relative humidity profiles from lidar and microwave radiometry

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 10481-10510
Author(s):  
F. Navas-Guzmán ◽  
J. Fernández-Gálvez ◽  
M. J. Granados-Muñoz ◽  
J. L. Guerrero-Rascado ◽  
J. A. Bravo-Aranda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Water Vapour ◽  
Microwave Radiometer ◽  
Radiosonde Data ◽  
Mixing Ratio ◽  
Raman Lidar ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Lidar Measurements ◽  
One Year ◽  
Humidity Profiles

Abstract. In this paper, we outline an iterative method to calibrate the water vapour mixing ratio profiles retrieved from Raman lidar measurements. Simultaneous and co-located radiosonde data are used for this purpose and the calibration results obtained during a radiosonde campaign performed in Summer and Autumn 2011 are presented. The water vapour profiles measured during nighttime by the Raman lidar and radiosondes are compared and the differences between the methodologies are discussed. Moreover, a new approach to obtain relative humidity profiles by combination of simultaneous profiles of temperature (retrieved from a microwave radiometer) and water vapour mixing ratio (from a Raman lidar) is addressed. In the last part of this work, a statistical analysis of water vapour mixing ratio and relative humidity profiles obtained during one year of simultaneous measurements is presented.

scholarly journals Investigation of Arctic middle-atmospheric dynamics using 3 years of H<sub>2</sub>O and O<sub>3</sub> measurements from microwave radiometers at Ny-Ålesund

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franziska Schranz ◽  
Brigitte Tschanz ◽  
Rolf Rüfenacht ◽  
Klemens Hocke ◽  
Mathias Palm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapour ◽  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
Microwave Radiometer ◽  
Polar Vortex ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
High Time Resolution ◽  
Middle Atmospheric Dynamics ◽  
Wind Profiles ◽  
Microwave Radiometers

Abstract. We use 3 years of water vapour and ozone measurements to analyse dynamical events in the polar middle atmosphere such as sudden stratospheric warmings (SSW), polar vortex shifts, water vapour descent rates and periodicities. The measurements were performed with the two ground-based microwave radiometers MIAWARA-C and GROMOS-C which are co-located at the AWIPEV research base at Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard (79° N, 12° E) since September 2015. The almost continuous datasets of water vapour and ozone are characterised by a high time resolution in the order of hours. A thorough intercomparison of these datasets with models and measurements from satellite, ground-based and in-situ instruments was performed. In the upper stratosphere and lower mesosphere the MIAWARA-C profiles agree within 5 % with SD-WACCM simulations and ACE-FTS measurements whereas AuraMLS measurements show an average offset of 10–15 % depending on altitude but constant in time. Stratospheric GROMOS-C profiles are within 5 % of the satellite instruments AuraMLS and ACE-FTS and the ground-based microwave radiometer OZORAM which is also located at Ny-Ålesund. During these first three years of the measurement campaign typical phenomena of the Arctic middle atmosphere took place and we analysed their signatures in the water vapour and ozone datasets. Inside of the polar vortex in autumn we found the descent rate of mesospheric water vapour to be 435 m/day on average. In early 2017 distinct increases in mesospheric water vapour of about 2 ppm were observed when the polar vortex was displaced and midlatitude air was brought to Ny-Ålesund. Two major sudden stratospheric warmings took place in March 2016 and February 2018 where ozone enhancements of up to 4 ppm were observed. The zonal wind reversals accompanying a major SSW were captured in the GROMOS-C wind profiles which are retrieved from the ozone spectra. After the SSW in February 2018 the polar vortex re-established and the water vapour descent rate in the mesosphere was 355 m/day. In the water vapour and ozone time series signatures of atmospheric waves with periods close to 2, 5, 10 and 16 days were found.

scholarly journals Intercomparison of stratospheric ozone profiles for the assessment of the upgraded GROMOS radiometer at Bern

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 6097-6146 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Studer ◽  
K. Hocke ◽  
M. Pastel ◽  
S. Godin-Beekmann ◽  
N. Kämpfer
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Stratospheric Ozone ◽  
Microwave Radiometer ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Lidar Measurements ◽  
Mesospheric Ozone ◽  
Relative Differences

Abstract. Since November 1994, the GROund-based Millimeter-wave Ozone Spectrometer (GROMOS) measures stratospheric and lower mesospheric ozone in Bern, Switzerland (47.95° N, 7.44° E). GROMOS is part of the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC). In July 2009, a Fast-Fourier-Transform spectrometer (FFTS) has been added as backend to GROMOS. The new FFTS and the original filter bench (FB) measured parallel for over two years. In October 2011, the FB has been turned off and the FFTS is now used to continue the ozone time series. For a consolidated ozone time series in the frame of NDACC, the quality of the stratospheric ozone profiles obtained with the FFTS has to be assessed. The FFTS results from July 2009 to December 2011 are compared to ozone profiles retrieved by the FB. FFTS and FB of the GROMOS microwave radiometer agree within 5% above 20 hPa. A later harmonization of both time series will be realized by taking the FFTS as benchmark for the FB. Ozone profiles from the FFTS are also compared to coinciding lidar measurements from the Observatoire Haute Provence (OHP), France. For the time period studied a maximum mean difference (lidar – GROMOS FFTS) of +3.8% at 3.1 hPa and a minimum mean difference of +1.4% at 8 hPa is found. Further, intercomparisons with ozone profiles from other independent instruments are performed: satellite measurements include MIPAS onboard ENVISAT, SABER onboard TIMED, MLS onboard EOS Aura and ACE-FTS onboard SCISAT-1. Additionally, ozonesondes launched from Payerne, Switzerland, are used in the lower stratosphere. Mean relative differences of GROMOS FFTS and these independent instruments are less than 10% between 50 and 0.1 hPa.

Combined use of Raman lidar and DIAL measurements and MESO-NH model simulations for the characterization of complex water vapour field structures and their genesis: a case study from HyMeX-SOP 1

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Di Girolamo ◽  
Marie-Noelle Bouin ◽  
Cyrille Flamant ◽  
Donato Summa ◽  
Benedetto De Rosa
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapour ◽  
Heavy Precipitation ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Mixing Ratio ◽  
Raman Lidar ◽  
Model Simulations ◽  
Combined Use ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
Lidar Measurements ◽  
Precipitation Events

&lt;p&gt;As part of the Cevennes-Vivarais site, the University of Basilicata Raman lidar system BASIL was deployed in Candillargues and operated throughout the duration of HyMeX-SOP 1 (September-November 2012), providing high-resolution and accurate measurements, both in daytime and night-time, of atmospheric temperature, water vapour mixing ratio and particle backscattering and extinction coefficient at three wavelengths.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Measurements carried out by BASIL on 28 September 2012 reveal a water vapour field characterized by a quite complex vertical structure. Reported measurements were run in the time interval between two consecutive heavy precipitation events, from 15:30 UTC on 28 September to 03:30 UTC on 29 September 2012. Throughout most of this observation period, lidar measurements reveal the presence of four distinct humidity layers.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The present research effort aims at assessing the origin and transport path of the different humidity filaments observed by BASIL on this day. The analysis approach relies on the comparison between Raman lidar measurements and MESO-NH and NOAA-HYSPLIT model simulations. Back-trajectory analyses from MESO-NH reveal that air masses ending in Candillargues at different altitudes levels are coming and are originated from different geographical regions.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The four distinct humidity layers observed by BASIL are also identified in the water vapour mixing ratio profiles collected by the air-borne DIAL LEANDRE 2 on-board of the French research aircraft ATR42. The exact correspondence, in terms of back-trajectories computation and water budget, between the humidity layers observed by BASIL and those identified in LEANDRE2 measurements has been verified based on a dedicated simulation effort.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In the paper we also try to identify the presence of dry layers and cold pools and assess their role in the genesis of the mesoscale convective systems and the heavy precipitation events observed on 29 September 2012 based on the combined use of water vapour mixing ratio and temperature profile measurements from BASIL and water vapour mixing ratio profile measurements from LEANDRE 2, again supported by MESO-NH simulations.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Water vapour retrieval using the Precision Solar Spectroradiometer

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 1143-1157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Panagiotis-Ioannis Raptis ◽  
Stelios Kazadzis ◽  
Julian Gröbner ◽  
Natalia Kouremeti ◽  
Lionel Doppler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapour ◽  
Single Channel ◽  
Microwave Radiometer ◽  
Coefficient Of Determination ◽  
High Temporal Resolution ◽  
Spectral Approach ◽  
Spectral Measurements ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Integrated Water Vapour ◽  
Relative Differences

Abstract. The Precision Solar Spectroradiometer (PSR) is a new spectroradiometer developed at Physikalisch-Meteorologisches Observatorium Davos – World Radiation Center (PMOD–WRC), Davos, measuring direct solar irradiance at the surface, in the 300–1020 nm spectral range and at high temporal resolution. The purpose of this work is to investigate the instrument's potential to retrieve integrated water vapour (IWV) using its spectral measurements. Two different approaches were developed in order to retrieve IWV: the first one uses single-channel and wavelength measurements, following a theoretical water vapour high absorption wavelength, and the second one uses direct sun irradiance integrated at a certain spectral region. IWV results have been validated using a 2-year data set, consisting of an AERONET sun-photometer Cimel CE318, a Global Positioning System (GPS), a microwave radiometer profiler (MWP) and radiosonde retrievals recorded at Meteorological Observatorium Lindenberg, Germany. For the monochromatic approach, better agreement with retrievals from other methods and instruments was achieved using the 946 nm channel, while for the spectral approach the 934–948 nm window was used. Compared to other instruments' retrievals, the monochromatic approach leads to mean relative differences up to 3.3 % with the coefficient of determination (R2) being in the region of 0.87–0.95, while for the spectral approach mean relative differences up to 0.7 % were recorded with R2 in the region of 0.96–0.98. Uncertainties related to IWV retrieval methods were investigated and found to be less than 0.28 cm for both methods. Absolute IWV deviations of differences between PSR and other instruments were determined the range of 0.08–0.30 cm and only in extreme cases would reach up to 15 %.

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