An initial approach to the utilization of VAS satellite sounding data

The primary objective is the development of methods to utilize satellite soundings. To achieve that, a more precise understanding of the characteristics of satellite derived soundings is required. The initial approach in the utilization of satellite soundings is to find a way to combine rawinsondes and satellite data into a unified data set. If this can be done in a meaningful way, satellite data could be integrated into existing data and interpretation would be enhanced. In this attempt, both rawinsonde and satellite soundings will be decomposed by the use of the Fourier cosine series. Then, each harmonic will be compared to get a better understanding of the representativeness of the satellite sounding data. Harmonics taken from satellite and rawinsonde soundings will be combined to provide a unified data set that can be used both over data sparse ocean areas as well as over land where rawinsonde data are available.