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Spaceborne observation of columnar water vapor - SSMI observations and algorithmAn analysis of the transfer of radiation with a frequency between 10 and 40 GHz through a cloud-free atmosphere is given, and the limitations of employing observations at 22.235 GHz for sensing the columnar water vapor (CWV) in the moist atmosphere (CWV above 40 kg/sq m) are shown. It is because of this limitation that a new method for the retrieval of columnar water vapor is described. This method uses both the horizontally and vertically polarized brightness temperatures measured at 19.35 GHz by the special sensor microwave imager (SSMI) which was launched as part of the Defense Military Satellite Program. The water vapor derived from the SSMI observations is validated against radiosonde observations that are near coincident in time and space with an rms error of 6 kg/sq m. This large rms is in part due to sensitivity of the retrieval method to the surface emission. Distributions of CWV over the oceans were obtained for a 3-month period starting September, 1987. These results are compared to other water vapor retrievals for the same period using the same microwave radiance data; they show close agreement except over the warmest water in the equatorial tropics.
Document ID
19910060919
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Tjemkes, Stephen A.
(Colorado State Univ. Fort Collins, CO, United States)
Stephens, Graeme L.
(Colorado State Univ. Fort Collins, CO, United States)
Jackson, Darren L.
(Colorado State University Fort Collins, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
June 20, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 96
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
91A45542
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NOAA-NA-90AADAC822
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-112
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-89-07414
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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