Validation of water vapor retrieval from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer (MODIS) in near infrared channels using GPS data over IAO-Hanle, in the trans-Himalayan region

Abstract

Integrated precipitable water vapor (PWV) retrieved from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer (MODIS) in near-infrared channels is examined with the PWV estimated from the Global Positioning System (GPS) data and measured surface temperature and pressure values over Hanle, located at a high-altitude (∼4500m) trans-Himalayan region. Since the accuracy of MODIS derived PWV over the large elevated topography of the region is not well studied, the present work focus on the validation of MODIS PWV using the GPS data during 2005–2012. The study reveals that MODIS PWV compares well with the GPS PWV data with bias −0.018cm, root mean square error (RMSE) 0.137cm and coefficient of determination (R2) 0.91. The two types of data products are compared on short (daily) and long temporal (monthly-seasonal) scales in order to evaluate the seasonal dependence of PWV. The peak values of PWV from MODIS and GPS data at the site varied from 1.7 to 2.05cm and 1.2 to 1.4cm as the daily and the monthly means, respectively, which occurred during August. However, the seasonal peak of PWV occurred during summer as 0.88 and 0.97cm for MODIS and GPS data, respectively. The present study noticed that about 85% of the total PWV estimated from MODIS as well as GPS data lies below 1.0cm over the site. The seasonal study of PWV reveals that MODIS data is found to be underestimating the PWV when compared to GPS data with bias −0.095cm and RMSE 0.215cm particularly during summer. This is due to dry and high-altitude terrain of Hanle particularly during summer months. However, there are marginal differences (bias varied from 0.007 to 0.017cm) during the remaining seasons and seasonally R2 varies from 0.62 to 0.87. GPS PWV exhibits distinct diurnal cycle with minimum in morning as well as in night and peak in the late afternoon (16–18h) irrespective of the seasons. However, the diurnal cycle is very prominent during summer than the rest of the seasons.