Retrieval of Layer Averaged Relative Humidity Profiles from MHS Observations over Tropical Region. (17th July 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gangwar, R. K.; Gohil, B. S.; Mathur, A. K.
• Other Names: Cairo Francesco Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: International journal of atmospheric sciences. Volume 2014(2014)
• Publication Date: 2014-07-17
• Subjects: Atmospheric physics -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry; Atmospheric physics; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 551.5
• DOI: 10.1155/2014/645970
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2314-4122

Abstract

Abstract : The present paper deals with the retrieval of the atmospheric layer averaged relative humidity profiles using data from the Microwave Humidity Sounder (MHS) onboard the MetOp satellite. The retrieval has been innovatively performed by firstly retrieving humidity for pairs of thick overlapping layers (TOLs) used subsequently to derive humidity for associated thin isolated layer (TIL). A water vapour dependent (WVD) algorithm has been developed and applied to infer the humidity of TOLs. Thus, the retrieved profiles have been finally compared with standard algorithm (NORM). These algorithms have been developed based on radiative transfer simulations and study of sensitivities of MHS channels on humidity of various types of layers (TOL, TIL). The algorithm has been tested with MHS data and validated using concurrent radiosonde as well as NCEP reanalysis data indicating profile errors of ~15% and ~19%, respectively.