Status: this preprint was under review for the journal AMT. A revision for further review has not been submitted.
Observations of water vapor within a mid-tropospheric smoke plume using ground-based microwave radiometry
Darren R. Clabo
Abstract. This study presents an analysis of the water vapor mixing ratio contained within multiple mid-tropospheric smoke plumes as diagnosed by a ground-based passive microwave radiometer. Measurements from the radiometer were compared to smoke opacity as diagnosed from visible satellite imagery on three different days: 12, 16, and 20 August 2013. It was found that the water vapor mixing ratio within the smoke plume could be as much as 20–250 % higher than the mixing ratio within the ambient, non-smoke environmental air. Significant intra-smoke plume variability also existed and the mixing ratio was found to be higher (lower) in more optically thick (thin) areas of the plume. This study demonstrates that a radiometer is valuable tool that can be used to remotely measure the water vapor content within smoke plumes.
Received: 22 Feb 2016 – Discussion started: 12 Apr 2016
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This research was completed to better understand the total moisture content within smoke plumes resulting from biomass fires. The study utilized a passive microwave radiometer to examine the smoke plumes as they passed over western South Dakota at altitudes from 3- to 6-km above ground level. Results show that the mixing ratio values within the smoke plumes were from 20–250 % higher than within the ambient, non-smoke environmental air.
This research was completed to better understand the total moisture content within smoke plumes...
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