Abstract
This study builds upon a framework to develop a climate data record of temperature and humidity profiles from high-resolution infrared radiation sounder (HIRS) clear-sky measurements. The resultant time series is a unique, long-term dataset (1978–2017). To validate this long-term dataset, evaluation of the stability of the intersatellite time series is coupled with intercomparisons with independent observation platforms as available in more recent years. Eleven pairs of satellites carrying the HIRS instrument with time periods that overlap are examined. Correlation coefficients were calculated for the retrieval of each atmospheric pressure level and for each satellite pair. More than 90% of the cases examining both temperature and humidity have correlation coefficients greater than 0.7. Very high correlation is demonstrated at the surface and two meter levels for both temperature (>0.99) and specific humidity (>0.93). For the period of 2006–2017, intercomparisons are performed with four independent observations platforms: radiosonde (RS92), constellation observing system for meteorology ionosphere and climate (COSMIC), global climate observing system (GCOS) reference upper-air network (GRUAN), and infrared atmospheric sounding interferometer (IASI). Very close matching of surface and two meter temperatures over a wide domain of values is depicted in all presented intercomparisons: intersatellite matches of HIRS retrievals, HIRS vs. GRUAN, and HIRS vs. IASI.
Highlights
Since 1978, the high-resolution infrared radiation sounder (HIRS) instruments have been making observations of the atmosphere from the surface to the stratosphere
The instruments are carried by both the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) polar orbiting satellite series and the meteorological operational satellite program (Metop) A and B satellites operated by the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT)
The HIRS observations have provided the longest period of record for measurements of global temperature and humidity
Summary
Since 1978, the high-resolution infrared radiation sounder (HIRS) instruments have been making observations of the atmosphere from the surface to the stratosphere. Along with the homogeneous observations provided by RS92 radiosonde and GPS RO observations, several other atmospheric profile measurement platforms exist including: the high-quality measurements from radiosondes in the global climate observing system (GCOS) reference upper-air network (GRUAN) and retrievals based on the infrared atmospheric sounding interferometer (IASI) instrument. Observations from these four platforms are compared to the HIRS-based retrieval in this study.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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.
