A comparison of SSM/I‐derived global marine surface‐specific humidity datasets. (30th September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Prytherch, John; Kent, Elizabeth C.; Fangohr, Susanne; Berry, David I.
• Is Part Of: International journal of climatology. Volume 35:Number 9(2015)
• Page Start: 2359
• Page End: 2381
• Publication Date: 2014-09-30
• Subjects: Climatology -- Periodicals; Climat -- Périodiques; Climatologie -- Périodiques; 551.605
• DOI: 10.1002/joc.4150
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0899-8418

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="joc4150-abs-0001"> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <p id="joc4150-para-0001">Satellite‐based microwave sensors have, since the 1980s, provided a means to retrieve near‐surface marine specific humidity (<italic>q_a</italic>), accurate estimation of which is necessary for climate and air–sea interaction applications. Seven satellite measurement‐derived monthly mean humidity datasets are compared with one another and with a dataset constructed from <italic>in situ</italic> measurements. The means, spatial and temporal structures of the datasets are shown to be markedly different, with a range of yearly, global mean <italic>q_a</italic> of ∼1 g kg^–1. Comparison of the datasets derived using the same satellite measurements of brightness temperature reveals differences in <italic>q_a</italic> that depend on the source of satellite data; the processing and quality control applied to the data; and the algorithm used to derive <italic>q_a</italic> from the satellite measurements of brightness temperature. Regional differences between satellite‐derived <italic>q_a</italic> due to the choice of input data, quality control and retrieval algorithm can all exceed the accuracy requirements for surface flux calculation of ∼0.3 g kg^–1 and in some cases can be several g kg^–1 in monthly means for some periods and regions.</p> </abstract>