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Low level moisture from VASPrevious research and current opinion are too pessimistic concerning the capability of defining moisture fields from satellite measurements. The TIROS-N sounder is a close analogue to what will fly on GEOS-D and can be used to investigate the probable capability of VAS. Basically, there are three frequencies applied to sensing moisture in the troposphere. The ability of these three measurements to define the moisture pattern is assessed. It is certainly true that one cannot achieve the detail available with a radiosonde hygristor. Sharp discontinuities cannot be sensed by a passive sounder, especially since the measurement tends to "saturate" with the first moisture layer encountered. However, the satellite measurements demonstrate a high degree of skill in defining the horizontal gradient. Moisture "tongues" and "dry lines" are readily delineated with some, perhaps two layers, of vertical definition. These attributes allow both the calculation of important advective quantities as well as (in concert with the temperature sounding) a gross definition of the vertical stability. The skill is demonstrably commensurate with subsynoptic forecast models and perhaps even to regional scale models.
Document ID
19810011188
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Hayden, C. M.
(National Environmental Satellite Service Madison, WI, United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1980
Publication Information
Publication: NASA. Goddard Space Flight Center VAS Demonstration Sounding Workshop
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Accession Number
81N19715
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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