Inter-comparison of GNSS- IPWV with ERA-5 IPWV and monitoring of convective events over the Indian region

Abstract

The present study deals with (i) An Inter-comparison study of ground based Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) derived Integrated Precipitable Water Vapour (IPWV) with 5th generation global climate reanalysis data of European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecast (ERA-5) (ii) IPWV thresholds of GNSS data (iii) case studies of IPWV analysis. It is found that both the datasets (GNSS and ERA-5) are strongly correlated & the correlation coefficient ranging between 0.97 and 0.99. Monthly Thresholds of IPWV (MTI) are generated with 2017 -2020 data sets from Indian GNSS station having continuous data and found very useful input as value addition to know the possibility of building up /decaying of convection in day to day daily forecast issued to the public. Case studies shows an increase of IPWV, 3 to 4 hour prior to the occurrence of convective event around the GNSS station and found very useful for nowcasting. Therefore, utilization of IPWV (model as wells GNSS based) have incremented value in enriching the understanding about the weather event and its forecasting. This supplement information along with other analysis products (model, surface, upper air, satellite or radar etc) can support further in appropriate decision making to the forecasters, decision makers and the end users of the society.