Combining microwave radiometer and wind profiler radar measurements to improve accuracy and resolution of atmospheric humidity profiling

Abstract

An algorithm to compute high-resolution atmospheric humidity profiling by synergetic use of microwave radiometer and Wind Profiler Radar (WPR) is illustrated. WPR data are input for the computation of the potential refractivity gradient profiles, and combined with radiometer estimates of potential temperature profiles, order to fully retrieve humidity gradient profiles. The algorithm makes use of recent developments WPR signal processing, computing the zeroth, first, and second moments of WPR Doppler spectra via a fuzzy logic method, which provides quality control of radar data the spectral domain. On the radiometric side, we have used a multichannel microwave radiometer profiler (MWRP) which provides continuous estimates of tropospheric temperature and humidity profiles. Finally, the combined algorithm performances retrieving humidity profiles are tested with simultaneous radiosonde in situ measurements. The empirical sets of WPR and MWRP data were provided by the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program. The synergy of microwave radiometer and wind profiler measurements shows encouraging results and significantly improves the spatial vertical resolution of atmospheric humidity profiles.