Research article 19 Jul 2018
Research article | 19 Jul 2018
Estimating observation and model error variances using multiple data sets
Richard Anthes and Therese Rieckh
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Therese Rieckh and Richard Anthes
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 11, 4309–4325, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-4309-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-4309-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
We compare the two-cornered hat (2CH) and three-cornered hat (3CH) method for estimating the error variances of two or more independent data sets using simulated data with various error correlations and biases.
We assess the accuracy of the 3CH and 2CH estimates and examine the sensitivity of the estimated error variances to the degree of error correlation between the data sets as well as sample size. The 3CH method is less sensitive to these factors and hence more accurate.
Therese Rieckh, Richard Anthes, William Randel, Shu-Peng Ho, and Ulrich Foelsche
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 11, 3091–3109, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-3091-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-3091-2018, 2018
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Short summary
Water vapor is the most important tropospheric greenhouse gas and is also highly variable in space and time. We study the vertical structure and variability of tropospheric humidity using various observing techniques (GPS radio occultation, radiosondes, Atmospheric Infrared Sounder) and models. Time–height cross sections reveal seasonal biases for different pressure layers. We find that radio occultation humidity has high accuracy and can contribute valuable information in data assimilation.
Shay Gilpin, Therese Rieckh, and Richard Anthes
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 11, 2567–2582, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-2567-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-2567-2018, 2018
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Comparing observational systems when observations are not taken at the exact same time or location can introduce sampling errors that can be come significant during error analysis. In this study, we develop two methods to reduce sampling errors: using ellipse distance constraints rather than circles and subtracting model background. We found that both the ellipses and subtracting model background from
the observations reduce sampling errors caused by spatial and temporal differences.
Shu-Peng Ho, Liang Peng, Carl Mears, and Richard A. Anthes
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 259–274, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-259-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-259-2018, 2018
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In this study, we compare 7 years of atmospheric total precipitable water (TPW) derived from multiple microwave radiometers to collocated TPW estimates derived from COSMIC radio occultation under various atmospheric conditions over the oceans. Results show that these two TPW trends from independent observations are larger than previous estimates and are a strong indication of the positive water vapor–temperature feedback on a warming planet.
Therese Rieckh, Richard Anthes, William Randel, Shu-Peng Ho, and Ulrich Foelsche
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 10, 1093–1110, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-1093-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-1093-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
We use GPS radio occultation (RO) data to investigate the structure and temporal behavior of extremely dry, high-ozone tropospheric air in the tropical western Pacific and compare them to various data sets (research aircraft, radiosonde, infrared sounder, and model reanalyses). All these data sets have limitations. We show that the RO data contribute significant information on the water vapor content. Our results also verify the quality of the reanalyses.
Therese Rieckh and Richard Anthes
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 11, 4309–4325, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-4309-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-4309-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
We compare the two-cornered hat (2CH) and three-cornered hat (3CH) method for estimating the error variances of two or more independent data sets using simulated data with various error correlations and biases.
We assess the accuracy of the 3CH and 2CH estimates and examine the sensitivity of the estimated error variances to the degree of error correlation between the data sets as well as sample size. The 3CH method is less sensitive to these factors and hence more accurate.
Therese Rieckh, Richard Anthes, William Randel, Shu-Peng Ho, and Ulrich Foelsche
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 11, 3091–3109, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-3091-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-3091-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Water vapor is the most important tropospheric greenhouse gas and is also highly variable in space and time. We study the vertical structure and variability of tropospheric humidity using various observing techniques (GPS radio occultation, radiosondes, Atmospheric Infrared Sounder) and models. Time–height cross sections reveal seasonal biases for different pressure layers. We find that radio occultation humidity has high accuracy and can contribute valuable information in data assimilation.
Shay Gilpin, Therese Rieckh, and Richard Anthes
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 11, 2567–2582, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-2567-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-2567-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Comparing observational systems when observations are not taken at the exact same time or location can introduce sampling errors that can be come significant during error analysis. In this study, we develop two methods to reduce sampling errors: using ellipse distance constraints rather than circles and subtracting model background. We found that both the ellipses and subtracting model background from
the observations reduce sampling errors caused by spatial and temporal differences.
Shu-Peng Ho, Liang Peng, Carl Mears, and Richard A. Anthes
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 18, 259–274, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-259-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-259-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, we compare 7 years of atmospheric total precipitable water (TPW) derived from multiple microwave radiometers to collocated TPW estimates derived from COSMIC radio occultation under various atmospheric conditions over the oceans. Results show that these two TPW trends from independent observations are larger than previous estimates and are a strong indication of the positive water vapor–temperature feedback on a warming planet.
Therese Rieckh, Richard Anthes, William Randel, Shu-Peng Ho, and Ulrich Foelsche
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 10, 1093–1110, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-1093-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-1093-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
We use GPS radio occultation (RO) data to investigate the structure and temporal behavior of extremely dry, high-ozone tropospheric air in the tropical western Pacific and compare them to various data sets (research aircraft, radiosonde, infrared sounder, and model reanalyses). All these data sets have limitations. We show that the RO data contribute significant information on the water vapor content. Our results also verify the quality of the reanalyses.
T. Rieckh, B. Scherllin-Pirscher, F. Ladstädter, and U. Foelsche
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 7, 3947–3958, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-7-3947-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-7-3947-2014, 2014
Short summary
Short summary
Radio Occultation (RO) observations featuring high vertical resolution, global availability, and high accuracy were used to investigate global characteristics of the lapse rate tropopause. Climatological tropopause characteristics for the
RO record from 2001 to 2013 extend previous studies on tropopause structure and its temporal variability. Latitudinal and longitudinal variations as well as the annual cycle and inter-annual variability were analyzed for the tropopause altitude and temperature.
Related subject area
Subject: Others (Wind, Precipitation, Temperature, etc.) | Technique: Remote Sensing | Topic: Data Processing and Information Retrieval
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Improvement in algorithms for quality control of weather radar data (RADVOL-QC system)
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Xingou Xu and Ad Stoffelen
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 7435–7451, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-7435-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-7435-2021, 2021
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The support vector machine can effectively represent the increasing effect of rain affecting wind speeds. This research provides a correction of deviations that are skew- to Gaussian-like features caused by rain in Ku-band scatterometer wind. It demonstrates the effectiveness of a machine learning method when used based on elaborate analysis of the model establishment and result validation procedures. The corrected winds provide information previously lacking, which is vital for nowcasting.
Anna Franck, Dmitri Moisseev, Ville Vakkari, Matti Leskinen, Janne Lampilahti, Veli-Matti Kerminen, and Ewan O'Connor
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 7341–7353, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-7341-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-7341-2021, 2021
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We proposed a method to derive a convective boundary layer height, using insects in radar observations, and we investigated the consistency of these retrievals among different radar frequencies (5, 35 and 94 GHz). This method can be applied to radars at other measurement stations and serve as additional way to estimate the boundary layer height during summer. The entrainment zone was also observed by the 5 GHz radar above the boundary layer in the form of a Bragg scatter layer.
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We introduce a new way of estimating winds in the upper atmosphere (about 80 to 100 km in altitude) from the observed Doppler shift of meteor trails using a statistical method called Gaussian process regression. Wind estimates and, critically, the uncertainty of those estimates can be evaluated smoothly (i.e., not gridded) in space and time. The effective resolution is set by provided parameters, which are limited in practice by the number density of the observed meteors.
Fabian Weiler, Michael Rennie, Thomas Kanitz, Lars Isaksen, Elena Checa, Jos de Kloe, Ngozi Okunde, and Oliver Reitebuch
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Clayton Cantrall and Tomoko Matsuo
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Shihan Chen, Yuanjian Yang, Fei Deng, Yanhao Zhang, Duanyang Liu, Chao Liu, and Zhiqiu Gao
Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2021-301, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2021-301, 2021
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This paper propose a method for evaluating canopy UHI intensity (CUHII) at high resolution by using remote sensing data and machine learning with a Random Forest (RF) model. The spatial distribution of CUHII was evaluated at 30-m resolution based on the output of the RF model. The present RF model framework for real-time monitoring and assessment of high-resolution CUHII provides scientific support for studying the changes and causes of CUHII.
Katarzyna Ośródka and Jan Szturc
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Revised manuscript accepted for AMT
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Gunter Stober, Alexander Kozlovsky, Alan Liu, Zishun Qiao, Masaki Tsutsumi, Chris Hall, Satonori Nozawa, Mark Lester, Evgenia Belova, Johan Kero, Patrick J. Espy, Robert E. Hibbins, and Nicholas Mitchell
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 6509–6532, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-6509-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-6509-2021, 2021
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Matthew A. Miller, Sandra E. Yuter, Nicole P. Hoban, Laura M. Tomkins, and Brian A. Colle
Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2021-256, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2021-256, 2021
Revised manuscript accepted for AMT
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Apparent waves in the atmosphere and similar features in storm winds can be detected by taking the difference between successive Doppler weather radar scans measuring radar-relative storm air motions. Applying image filtering to the difference data better isolates the detected signal. This technique is a useful tool in weather research and forecasting since such waves can trigger or enhance precipitation.
Corwin J. Wright, Neil P. Hindley, M. Joan Alexander, Laura A. Holt, and Lars Hoffmann
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 5873–5886, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-5873-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-5873-2021, 2021
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Measuring atmospheric gravity waves in low vertical-resolution data is technically challenging, especially when the waves are significantly longer in the vertical than in the length of the measurement domain. We introduce and demonstrate a modification to the existing Stockwell transform methods of characterising these waves that address these problems, with no apparent reduction in the other capabilities of the technique.
Tong Ning and Gunnar Elgered
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 5593–5605, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-5593-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-5593-2021, 2021
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We have estimated horizontal gradients of the propagation delay caused by water vapour in the atmosphere using two independent techniques, namely global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) and microwave radiometry. The highest resolution was 5 min. We found that the sampling of the atmosphere in different directions is an important factor for high correlations between the two techniques and that GNSS data can be used to detect large short-lived gradients, however, with increased formal errors.
Mark T. Richardson, David R. Thompson, Marcin J. Kurowski, and Matthew D. Lebsock
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 5555–5576, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-5555-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-5555-2021, 2021
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Modern and upcoming hyperspectral imagers will take images with spatial resolutions as fine as 20 m. They can retrieve column water vapour, and we show evidence that from these column measurements you can get statistics of planetary boundary layer (PBL) water vapour. This is important information for climate models that need to account for sub-grid mixing of water vapour near the surface in their PBL schemes.
Brian J. Carroll, Amin R. Nehrir, Susan Kooi, James Collins, Rory A. Barton-Grimley, Anthony Notari, David B. Harper, and Joseph Lee
Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2021-229, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2021-229, 2021
Revised manuscript accepted for AMT
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HALO is a recently developed lidar system that demonstrates new technologies and advanced algorithms for profiling water vapor as well as aerosol and cloud properties. These high-resolution, high-accuracy measurements have unique advantages within the suite of atmospheric instrumentation, such as directly trading water vapor measurement resolution for precision. This paper provides some validation of HALO water vapor, showing excellent agreement with in situ and spaceborne sounder measurements.
Benjamin Männel, Florian Zus, Galina Dick, Susanne Glaser, Maximilian Semmling, Kyriakos Balidakis, Jens Wickert, Marion Maturilli, Sandro Dahlke, and Harald Schuh
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 5127–5138, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-5127-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-5127-2021, 2021
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Within the MOSAiC expedition, GNSS was used to monitor variations in atmospheric water vapor. Based on 15 months of continuously tracked data, coordinates and hourly zenith total delays (ZTDs) were determined using kinematic precise point positioning. The derived ZTD values agree within few millimeters with ERA5 and terrestrial GNSS and VLBI stations. The derived integrated water vapor corresponds to the frequently launched radiosondes (0.08 ± 0.04 kg m−2, rms of the differences of 1.47 kg m−2).
Joel P. Younger, Iain M. Reid, Chris L. Adami, Chris M. Hall, and Masaki Tsutsumi
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 5015–5027, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-5015-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-5015-2021, 2021
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A radar in Svalbard usually used to study meteor trails was used to observe a thin icy layer in the upper atmosphere. New methods used the layer to measure wind speed over short periods of time and found that the layer is most reflective within 6.8 ± 3.3° of vertical. Analysis of meteor trail radar echo durations found that the layer may shorten meteor trail echoes, but more data are needed. This study shows new uses for data collected by meteor radars for other purposes.
Mariko Oue, Pavlos Kollias, Sergey Y. Matrosov, Alessandro Battaglia, and Alexander V. Ryzhkov
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 4893–4913, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-4893-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-4893-2021, 2021
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Multi-wavelength radar measurements provide capabilities to identify ice particle types and growth processes in clouds beyond the capabilities of single-frequency radar measurements. This study introduces Doppler velocity and polarimetric radar observables into the multi-wavelength radar reflectivity measurement to improve identification analysis. The analysis clearly discerns snowflake aggregation and riming processes and even early stages of riming.
Daniel Sanchez-Rivas and Miguel A. Rico-Ramirez
Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2021-194, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2021-194, 2021
Revised manuscript accepted for AMT
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In this work, we examine different methods for monitoring the calibration of the radar differential reflectivity ZDR. First, we implemented a well-known procedure to calibrate and monitor the ZDR offset using vertical profiles of polarimetric variables. Then, we propose a novel, operational method to calibrate ZDR using quasi-vertical profiles of polarimetric variables. We observed an excellent agreement between both methods, as the errors (MAE and RMSE) are within 0.1 dB.
Andreas Foth, Janek Zimmer, Felix Lauermann, and Heike Kalesse-Los
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 4565–4574, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-4565-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-4565-2021, 2021
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In this paper, we present two micro rain radar-based approaches to discriminate between stratiform and convective precipitation. One is based on probability density functions and the other one is an artificial neural network classification. Both methods agree well, giving similar results. However, the results of the artificial neural network are more reasonable since it is also able to distinguish an inconclusive class, in turn making the stratiform and convective classes more reliable.
Raghavendra Krishnamurthy, Rob K. Newsom, Larry K. Berg, Heng Xiao, Po-Lun Ma, and David D. Turner
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 4403–4424, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-4403-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-4403-2021, 2021
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Planetary boundary layer (PBL) height is a critical parameter in atmospheric models. Continuous PBL height measurements from remote sensing measurements are important to understand various boundary layer mechanisms, especially during daytime and evening transition periods. Due to several limitations in existing methodologies to detect PBL height from a Doppler lidar, in this study, a machine learning (ML) approach is tested. The ML model is observed to improve the accuracy by over 50 %.
Michael Kiefer, Thomas von Clarmann, Bernd Funke, Maya García-Comas, Norbert Glatthor, Udo Grabowski, Sylvia Kellmann, Anne Kleinert, Alexandra Laeng, Andrea Linden, Manuel López-Puertas, Daniel R. Marsh, and Gabriele P. Stiller
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 4111–4138, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-4111-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-4111-2021, 2021
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An improved dataset of vertical temperature profiles of the Earth's atmosphere in the altitude range 5–70 km is presented. These profiles are derived from measurements of the MIPAS instrument onboard ESA's Envisat satellite. The overall improvements are based on upgrades in the input data and several improvements in the data processing approach. Both of these are discussed, and an extensive error discussion is included. Enhancements of the new dataset are demonstrated by means of examples.
Daniel Kastinen, Johan Kero, Alexander Kozlovsky, and Mark Lester
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 3583–3596, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-3583-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-3583-2021, 2021
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When a meteor enters the atmosphere, it causes a trail of diffusing plasma that moves with the neutral wind. An interferometric radar system can measure such trails and determine its location. However, there is a chance of determining the wrong position due to noise. We simulate this behaviour and use the simulations to successfully determine the true location of ambiguous events. We also successfully test two simple temporal integration methods for avoiding such erroneous determinations.
Ting-Yu Cha and Michael M. Bell
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 3523–3539, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-3523-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-3523-2021, 2021
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Doppler radar provides high-resolution wind measurements within tropical cyclones (TCs) for real-time monitoring and weather forecasting. Hurricane Matthew (2016) was observed by the ground-based single-Doppler and NOAA P-3 Hurricane Hunter airborne radar simultaneously, providing a novel opportunity to compare single- and multiple-Doppler wind retrieval techniques. Here, we improve the single-Doppler wind retrieval algorithm and show the pros and cons of each method for studying TC structure.
Martin Lainer, Jordi Figueras i Ventura, Zaira Schauwecker, Marco Gabella, Montserrat F.-Bolaños, Reto Pauli, and Jacopo Grazioli
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 3541–3560, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-3541-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-3541-2021, 2021
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We show results from two unique measurement campaigns aimed at better understanding effects of large wind turbines on radar returns by deploying a mobile X-band weather radar system in the proximity of a small wind park. Measurements were taken in 24/7 operation with dedicated scan strategies to retrieve the variability and most extreme values of reflectivity and radar cross-section of the wind turbines. The findings are useful for wind turbine interference mitigation measures in radar systems.
Pavel Alekseychik, Gabriel Katul, Ilkka Korpela, and Samuli Launiainen
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 3501–3521, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-3501-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-3501-2021, 2021
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Drones with thermal cameras are powerful new tools with the potential to provide new insights into atmospheric turbulence and heat fluxes. In a pioneering experiment, a Matrice 210 drone with a Zenmuse XT2 thermal camera was used to record 10–20 min thermal videos at 500 m a.g.l. over the Siikaneva peatland in southern Finland. A method to visualize the turbulent structures and derive their parameters from thermal videos is developed. The study provides a novel approach for turbulence analysis.
Svetla Hristova-Veleva, Sara Q. Zhang, F. Joseph Turk, Ziad S. Haddad, and Randy C. Sawaya
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 3333–3350, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-3333-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-3333-2021, 2021
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The assimilation of airborne-based three-dimensional winds into a mesoscale weather forecast model resulted in better agreement with airborne radar-derived precipitation 3-D structure at later model time steps. More importantly, there was also a discernible impact on the resultant wind and moisture structure, in accord with independent analysis of the wind structure and external satellite observations.
Julian Gröbner, Herbert Schill, Luca Egli, and René Stübi
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 3319–3331, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-3319-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-3319-2021, 2021
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The world's longest continuous total column ozone time series was initiated in 1926 at the Lichtklimatisches Observatorium (LKO), at Arosa, in the Swiss Alps. The measurements between Dobson and Brewer spectroradiometers have shown seasonal variations of the order of 2 %. The results of the study show that the consistency between the two instrument types can be significantly improved when the ozone cross-sections from Serdyuchenko et al. (2013) and the measured slit functions are used.
Daniel Wolfensberger, Marco Gabella, Marco Boscacci, Urs Germann, and Alexis Berne
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 3169–3193, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-3169-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-3169-2021, 2021
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In this work, we present a novel quantitative precipitation estimation method for Switzerland that uses random forests, an ensemble-based machine learning technique. The estimator has been trained with a database of 4 years of ground and radar observations. The results of an in-depth evaluation indicate that, compared with the more classical method in use at MeteoSwiss, this novel estimator is able to reduce both the average error and bias of the predictions.
David D. Turner and Ulrich Löhnert
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 3033–3048, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-3033-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-3033-2021, 2021
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Temperature and humidity profiles in the lowest couple of kilometers near the surface are very important for many applications. Passive spectral radiometers are commercially available, and observations from these instruments have been used to get these profiles. However, new active lidar systems are able to measure partial profiles of water vapor. This paper investigates how the derived profiles of water vapor and temperature are improved when the active and passive observations are combined.
Mingzhe Li and Xinan Yue
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 3003–3013, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-3003-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-3003-2021, 2021
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In this study, we statistically analyzed the correlation between the ionospheric irregularity and the quality of the GNSS atmospheric radio occultation (RO) products. The results show that the ionospheric irregularity could affect the GNSS atmospheric RO in terms of causing failed inverted RO events and the bending angle oscillation. Awareness of the ionospheric irregularity effect on RO could be beneficial to improve the RO data quality for weather and climate research.
Daniel Sanchez-Rivas and Miguel A. Rico-Ramirez
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 2873–2890, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-2873-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-2873-2021, 2021
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In our paper, we propose a robust and operational algorithm to determine the height of the melting level that can be applied to either quasi-vertical profiles (QVPs) or vertical profiles (VPs) of polarimetric radar variables. The algorithm is applied to 1 year of rainfall events that occurred over southeast England and validated using radiosonde data. The algorithm proves to be accurate as the errors (mean absolute error and root mean square error) are close to 200 m.
Anne-Claire Billault-Roux and Alexis Berne
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 2749–2769, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-2749-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-2749-2021, 2021
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In the context of climate studies, understanding the role of clouds on a global and local scale is of paramount importance. One aspect is the quantification of cloud liquid water, which impacts the Earth’s radiative balance. This is routinely achieved with radiometers operating at different frequencies. In this study, we propose an approach that uses a single-frequency radiometer and that can be applied at any location to retrieve vertically integrated quantities of liquid water and water vapor.
Ayham Alyosef, Domenico Cimini, Lorenzo Luini, Carlo Riva, Frank S. Marzano, Marianna Biscarini, Luca Milani, Antonio Martellucci, Sabrina Gentile, Saverio T. Nilo, Francesco Di Paola, Ayman Alkhateeb, and Filomena Romano
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 2737–2748, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-2737-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-2737-2021, 2021
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Telecommunication is based on the propagation of radio signals through the atmosphere. The signal power diminishes along the path due to atmospheric attenuation, which needs to be estimated to be accounted for. In a study funded by the European Space Agency, we demonstrate an innovative method improving atmospheric attenuation estimates from ground-based radiometric measurements by 10–30 %. More accurate atmospheric attenuation estimates imply better telecommunication services in the future.
Peng Sun, Suqin Wu, Kefei Zhang, Moufeng Wan, and Ren Wang
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 2529–2542, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-2529-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-2529-2021, 2021
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In GPS or Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) meteorology, precipitable water vapor (PWV) at a station is obtained from a conversion of the GNSS signal zenith wet delay (ZWD) using a conversion factor which is a function of weighted mean temperature (Tm) over the site. We developed a new global grid-based empirical Tm model using ERA5 reanalysis data. The model-predicted Tm value has significance for applications needing real-time or near real-time PWV converted from GNSS signals.
Ying Li, Gottfried Kirchengast, Marc Schwärz, Florian Ladstädter, and Yunbin Yuan
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 2327–2343, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-2327-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-2327-2021, 2021
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We introduce a new method to detect and monitor sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) events using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) radio occultation (RO) data at high northern latitudes and demonstrate it for the well-known Jan.–Feb. 2009 event. We found that RO data are capable of SSW monitoring. Based on our method, a SSW event can be detected and tracked, and the duration and the strength of the event can be recorded. The results are consistent with other research on the 2009 event.
Stefano Letizia, Lu Zhan, and Giacomo Valerio Iungo
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 2065–2093, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-2065-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-2065-2021, 2021
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A LiDAR Statistical Barnes Objective Analysis (LiSBOA) for the optimal design of lidar scans and retrieval of velocity statistics is proposed. The LiSBOA is validated and characterized via a Monte Carlo approach applied to a synthetic velocity field. The optimal design of lidar scans is formulated as a two-cost-function optimization problem, including the minimization of the volume not sampled with adequate spatial resolution and the minimization of the error on the mean of the velocity field.
Stefano Letizia, Lu Zhan, and Giacomo Valerio Iungo
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 2095–2113, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-2095-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-2095-2021, 2021
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The LiDAR Statistical Barnes Objective Analysis (LiSBOA) is applied to lidar data collected in the wake of wind turbines to reconstruct mean wind speed and turbulence intensity. Various lidar scans performed during a field campaign for a wind farm in complex terrain are analyzed. The results endorse the application of the LiSBOA for lidar-based wind resource assessment and farm diagnosis.
Viktor A. Banakh, Igor N. Smalikho, and Andrey V. Falits
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 1511–1524, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-1511-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-1511-2021, 2021
Matteo Puccioni and Giacomo Valerio Iungo
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 1457–1474, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-1457-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-1457-2021, 2021
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A procedure for correcting the turbulent-energy damping connected with spatial averaging of wind lidars is proposed. This effect of the lidar measuring process is modeled through a low-pass filter, whose order and cut-off frequency are estimated directly from the lidar data. The proposed procedure is first assessed through simultaneous and colocated lidar and sonic-anemometer measurements. Then it is applied to several datasets collected at sites with different terrain roughness.
E. Eva Borbas, Elisabeth Weisz, Chris Moeller, W. Paul Menzel, and Bryan A. Baum
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 1191–1203, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-1191-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-1191-2021, 2021
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As the VIIRS satellite sensor has no infrared (IR) H2O absorption bands, we construct the missing bands through the fusion of imager (VIIRS) and sounder (CrIS) data in an attempt to improve derivation of moisture products. This study clearly demonstrates the positive impact by adding fusion IR absorption spectral bands and the potential for continuing the moisture record from MODIS and the previous generations of polar-orbiting satellite sensors.
Maryna Lukach, David Dufton, Jonathan Crosier, Joshua M. Hampton, Lindsay Bennett, and Ryan R. Neely III
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 1075–1098, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-1075-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-1075-2021, 2021
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This paper presents a novel technique of data-driven hydrometeor classification (HC) from quasi-vertical profiles, where the hydrometeor types are identified from an optimal number of hierarchical clusters, obtained recursively. This data-driven HC approach is capable of providing an optimal number of classes from dual-polarimetric weather radar observations. The embedded flexibility in the extent of granularity is the main advantage of this technique.
Andrew Tangborn, Belay Demoz, Brian J. Carroll, Joseph Santanello, and Jeffrey L. Anderson
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 1099–1110, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-1099-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-1099-2021, 2021
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Accurate prediction of the planetary boundary layer is essential to both numerical weather prediction (NWP) and pollution forecasting. This paper presents a methodology to combine these measurements with the models through a statistical data assimilation approach that calculates the correlation between the PBLH and variables like temperature and moisture in the model. The model estimates of these variables can be improved via this method, and this will enable increased forecast accuracy.
Nick Gorkavyi, Zachary Fasnacht, David Haffner, Sergey Marchenko, Joanna Joiner, and Alexander Vasilkov
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 961–974, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-961-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-961-2021, 2021
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Various instrumental or geophysical artifacts, such as saturation, stray light or obstruction of light, negatively impact satellite measured ultraviolet and visible Earthshine radiance spectra. Here, we introduce a straightforward detection method that is based on the correlation, r, between the observed Earthshine radiance and solar irradiance spectra over a 10 nm spectral range; our decorrelation index (DI for brevity) is simply defined as DI of 1–r.
Norman B. Wood and Tristan S. L'Ecuyer
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 869–888, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-869-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-869-2021, 2021
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Although millimeter-wavelength radar reflectivity observations are used to investigate snowfall properties, their ability to constrain specific properties has not been well-quantified. An information-focused retrieval
method shows how well snowfall properties, including rate and size distribution, are constrained by reflectivity. Sources of uncertainty in snowfall rate are dominated by uncertainties in the retrieved size distribution properties rather than by other retrieval assumptions.
Michael Gorbunov, Gottfried Kirchengast, and Kent B. Lauritsen
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 853–867, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-853-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-853-2021, 2021
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Currently, the canonical transform (CT) approach to the processing of radio occultation observations is widely used. For the spherically symmetric atmosphere, the applicability of this method can be strictly proven. However, in the presence of horizontal gradients, this approach may not work. Here we introduce a generalization of the CT method in order to reduce the errors due to horizontal gradients.
Irina V. Djalalova, David D. Turner, Laura Bianco, James M. Wilczak, James Duncan, Bianca Adler, and Daniel Gottas
Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2021-9, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2021-9, 2021
Revised manuscript accepted for AMT
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In this paper we show the usefulness of observational data in the radiative transfer model to retrieve the reliable atmospheric temperature profiles. In particular, the additional data from radio acoustic sounding systems (RASS) could improve the temperature in terms of bias and RMSE in comparison to the radiosonde temperature profiles not only in the 200–2000 m atmospheric layer above the ground where RASS data available, but in the deep 0–5000 m atmosphere stratum.
Kamil Mróz, Alessandro Battaglia, Stefan Kneifel, Leonie von Terzi, Markus Karrer, and Davide Ori
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 511–529, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-511-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-511-2021, 2021
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The article examines the relationship between the characteristics of rain and the properties of the ice cloud from which the rain originated. Our results confirm the widely accepted assumption that the mass flux through the melting zone is well preserved with an exception of extreme aggregation and riming conditions. Moreover, it is shown that the mean (mass-weighted) size of particles above and below the melting zone is strongly linked, with the former being on average larger.
Ghazal Farhani, Robert J. Sica, and Mark Joseph Daley
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 391–402, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-391-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-391-2021, 2021
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While it is relatively straightforward to automate the processing of lidar signals, it is difficult to automatically preprocess the measurements to distinguish between
goodand
badscans. It is easy to train humans to perform the task; however, considering the growing number of measurements, it is a time-consuming, on-going process. We have tested some machine learning algorithms for lidar signal classification and had success with both supervised and unsupervised methods.
Robert Jackson, Scott Collis, Valentin Louf, Alain Protat, Die Wang, Scott Giangrande, Elizabeth J. Thompson, Brenda Dolan, and Scott W. Powell
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 53–69, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-53-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-53-2021, 2021
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About 4 years of 2D video disdrometer data in Darwin are used to develop and validate rainfall retrievals for tropical convection in C- and X-band radars in Darwin. Using blended techniques previously used for Colorado and Manus and Gan islands, with modified coefficients in each estimator, provided the most optimal results. Using multiple radar observables to develop a rainfall retrieval provided a greater advantage than using a single observable, including using specific attenuation.
Robert R. Nelson, Annmarie Eldering, David Crisp, Aronne J. Merrelli, and Christopher W. O'Dell
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 13, 6889–6899, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-6889-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-6889-2020, 2020
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Measurements of surface wind speed over oceans are scientifically useful. Here we show that the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2), originally designed to measure carbon dioxide using reflected sunlight, can also accurately and precisely measure wind speed. OCO-2's high spatial resolution means that it can observe close to coastlines and therefore be used to study coastal wind processes and inform related economic sectors.
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Short summary
We show how multiple data sets, including observations and models, can be combined using the "N-cornered hat method" to estimate vertical profiles of the errors of each system. Using data from 2007, we estimate the error variances of radio occultation, radiosondes, ERA-Interim, and GFS model data sets at four radiosonde locations in the tropics and subtropics. A key assumption is the neglect of error correlations among the different data sets, and we examine the consequences of this assumption.
We show how multiple data sets, including observations and models, can be combined using the...