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Towards quantifying mesoscale flows in the troposphere using Raman lidar and SondesWater vapor plays an important role in the energetics of the boundary layer processes which in turn play a key role in regulating regional and global climate. It plays a primary role in Earth's hydrological cycle, in radiation balance as a direct absorber of infrared radiation, and in atmospheric circulation as a latent heat energy source, as well as in determining cloud development and atmospheric stability. Water vapor concentration, expressed as a mass mixing ratio (g kg(exp -l)), is conserved in all meteorological processes except condensation and evaporation. This property makes it an ideal choice for studying many of the atmosphere's dynamic features. Raman scattering measurements from lidar also allow retrieval of water vapor mixing ratio profiles at high temporal and vertical resolution. Raman lidars sense water vapor to altitudes not achievable with towers and surface systems, sample the atmosphere at much higher temporal resolution than radiosondes or satellites, and do not require strong vertical gradients or turbulent fluctuations in temperature that is required by acoustic sounders and radars. Analysis of highly-resolved water vapor profiles are used here to characterize two important mesoscale flows: thunderstorm outflows and a cold front passage. The data were obtained at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Site (CART) by the groundbased Department of Energy/Sandia National Laboratories lidar (CART Raman lidar or CARL) and Goddard Space Flight Center Scanning Raman Lidar (SRL). A detailed discussion of the SRL and CARL performance during the IOPs is given by others in this meeting.
Document ID
19980227673
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Demoz, B.
(Maryland Univ. Baltimore County Catonsville, MD United States)
Starr, D.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Evans, K.
(Maryland Univ. Baltimore County Catonsville, MD United States)
Whiteman, D.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Melfi, S.
(Maryland Univ. Baltimore County Catonsville, MD United States)
Turner, D.
(Pacific Northwest National Lab. Richland, WA United States)
Ferrare, R.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA United States)
Goldsmith, J.
(Sandia National Labs. Livermore, CA United States)
Schwemmer, G.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Cadirola, M.
(Maryland Univ. Baltimore County Catonsville, MD United States)
Date Acquired
August 18, 2013
Publication Date
July 1, 1998
Publication Information
Publication: Nineteenth International Laser Radar Conference
Subject Category
Geophysics
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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