Ground-based Microwave Radiometry for measurements of Atmospheric Water Vapour and Cloud Liquid Water Contents

Abstract

The method of ground-based microwave radiometry for determining the integral parameters of atmospheric moisture content, such as integrated water vapor and cloud liquid water content is considered. Some results of experimental studies of integrated water vapor and integrated cloud liquid in different regions by means of ground-based and ship-based of microwave radiometers are given. The microwave radiometric measurements of integrated water vapor were found to be in agreement with independent radiosonding data (rms is ∼1 kg/m2). Microwave radiometric measurements of integrated cloud liquid of stratified clouds are consistent with empirical models of cloudy atmosphere based on aircraft data sensing of clouds. The capabilities of the novel microwave water vapor radiometer for studying variations in atmospheric moisture content on micro and meso scales were demonstrated. Histograms of the moisture content are obtained, and an approximation for the temporal structural function of the integrated water vapor in a wide range of time scales is discussed.