Spectroscopic imaging of sub-kilometer spatial structure in lower-tropospheric water vapor

The subgrid spatial variability of water vapor is an important geophysical parameter for modeling tropical convention and cloud processes in atmospheric models. This study maps sub-kilometer spatial structures in total atmospheric column water vapor with visible to shortwave infrared (VSWIR) imaging...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAtmospheric measurement techniques Vol. 14; no. 4; pp. 2827 - 2840
Main Authors Thompson, David R, Kahn, Brian H, Brodrick, Philip G, Lebsock, Matthew D, Richardson, Mark, Green, Robert O
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Katlenburg-Lindau Copernicus GmbH 12.04.2021
Copernicus Publications
Subjects
Aerosols
Airborne sensing
Aircraft
Analytical methods
Atmospheric models
AVIRIS
General circulation models
Ground-based observation
Imaging spectrometers
Imaging techniques
Infrared imaging
Lidar
Lower troposphere
Measurement
Optical radar
Precipitation
Remote sensing
Scaling
Short wave radiation
Spatial variability
Spatial variations
Spectrometers
Spectroscopy
Spectrum analysis
Structure-function relationships
Time series
Tropical climate
Troposphere
Tropospheric water vapor
Water vapor
Water vapour
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Summary:The subgrid spatial variability of water vapor is an important geophysical parameter for modeling tropical convention and cloud processes in atmospheric models. This study maps sub-kilometer spatial structures in total atmospheric column water vapor with visible to shortwave infrared (VSWIR) imaging spectroscopy. We describe our inversion approach and validate its accuracy with coincident measurements by airborne imaging spectrometers and the AERONET ground-based observation network. Next, data from NASA's AVIRIS-NG spectrometer enable the highest-resolution measurement to date of water vapor's spatial variability and scaling properties. We find second-order structure function scaling exponents consistent with prior studies of convective atmospheres. Airborne lidar data show that this total column measurement provides information about variability in the lower troposphere. We conclude by discussing the implications of these measurements and paths toward future campaigns to build upon these results.
ISSN:1867-8548
1867-1381
1867-8548
DOI:10.5194/amt-14-2827-2021