Abstract
Abstract Automated aircraft observations of wind and temperature have demonstrated positive impact on numerical weather prediction since the mid-1980s. With the advent of the Water Vapor Sensing System (WVSS-II) humidity sensor, the expanding fleet of commercial aircraft with onboard automated sensors is also capable of delivering high quality moisture observations, providing vertical profiles of moisture as aircraft ascend out of and descend into airports across the continental United States. Observations from the WVSS-II have to date only been monitored within the Global Data Assimilation System (GDAS) without being assimilated. In this study, aircraft moisture observations from the WVSS-II are assimilated into the GDAS, and their impact is assessed in the Global Forecast System (GFS). A two-season study is performed, demonstrating a statistically significant positive impact on both the moisture forecast and the precipitation forecast at short range (12–36 h) during the warm season. No statistically significant impact is observed during the cold season.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
