Articles | Volume 23, issue 22
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-14187-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-14187-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
15 Nov 2023
Research article |
| 15 Nov 2023
| 15 Nov 2023
Characterizing the tropospheric water vapor spatial variation and trend using 2007–2018 COSMIC radio occultation and ECMWF reanalysis data
Xi Shao
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Cooperative Institute for Satellite Earth System Studies (CISESS), Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Shu-Peng Ho
NOAA National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, Center for Satellite Applications and Research, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Xin Jing
Cooperative Institute for Satellite Earth System Studies (CISESS), Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Xinjia Zhou
Global Science & Technology, Inc., 7855 Walker Drive, Suite 200, Greenbelt, MD 20770, USA
Yong Chen
NOAA National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, Center for Satellite Applications and Research, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Tung-Chang Liu
Cooperative Institute for Satellite Earth System Studies (CISESS), Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Bin Zhang
Cooperative Institute for Satellite Earth System Studies (CISESS), Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Global Science & Technology, Inc., 7855 Walker Drive, Suite 200, Greenbelt, MD 20770, USA
Jun Dong
Cooperative Institute for Satellite Earth System Studies (CISESS), Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, USA
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Yong Chen, Xinjia Zhou, Xin Jing, Shu-Peng Ho, Xi Shao, and Tung-Chang Liu
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5763, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5763, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Atmospheric Measurement Techniques (AMT).
Short summary
Short summary
We evaluated methods that process bending angle and refractivity from GNSS Radio Occultation, a key data source for weather forecasting. Using ROMEX data, we developed and tested our own Full Spectrum Inversion algorithm and compared it with standard processing systems. Results show strong agreement in the mid-atmosphere but larger differences near the surface and upper levels. The study clarifies processing uncertainties and supports improved use of RO data in NWP and atmospheric research.
Tim Trent, Marc Schröder, Shu-Peng Ho, Steffen Beirle, Ralf Bennartz, Eva Borbas, Christian Borger, Helene Brogniez, Xavier Calbet, Elisa Castelli, Gilbert P. Compo, Wesley Ebisuzaki, Ulrike Falk, Frank Fell, John Forsythe, Hans Hersbach, Misako Kachi, Shinya Kobayashi, Robert E. Kursinski, Diego Loyola, Zhengzao Luo, Johannes K. Nielsen, Enzo Papandrea, Laurence Picon, Rene Preusker, Anthony Reale, Lei Shi, Laura Slivinski, Joao Teixeira, Tom Vonder Haar, and Thomas Wagner
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 9667–9695, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-9667-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-9667-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
In a warmer future, water vapour will spend more time in the atmosphere, changing global rainfall patterns. In this study, we analysed the performance of 28 water vapour records between 1988 and 2014. We find sensitivity to surface warming generally outside expected ranges, attributed to breakpoints in individual record trends and differing representations of climate variability. The implication is that longer records are required for high confidence in assessing climate trends.
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Short summary
Atmospheric water vapor plays an essential role in the global energy balance, hydrological cycle, and climate system. This paper characterizes and compares the global, latitudinal, and regional variabilities of COSMIC and ERA5 water vapor distribution, as well as the seasonality and long-term trends at selected pressure levels from 2007 to 2018. Evaluation of spatiotemporal variabilities of atmospheric water vapor ensures the qualities of COSMIC and reanalysis water vapor for climate studies.
Atmospheric water vapor plays an essential role in the global energy balance, hydrological...
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