Combining METEOSAT-10 satellite image data with GPS tropospheric path delays to estimate regional Integrated Water Vapor (IWV) distribution

Anton Leontiev, Yuval Reuveni
2016 Atmospheric Measurement Techniques Discussions  
Using GPS satellites signals, we can study different processes and coupling mechanisms that can help us understand the physical conditions in the upper atmosphere, which might lead or act as proxies for severe weather events such as extreme storms and flooding. GPS signals received by ground stations are multi-purpose and can also provide estimates of tropospheric zenith delays, which can be converted into mm-accuracy Precipitable Water Vapor (PWV) using collocated pressure and temperature
more » ... rements on the ground. Here, we present the use of a dense regional GPS networks for extracting tropospheric zenith path delays combined with near Real Time (RT) METEOSAT-10 Water Vapor (WV) and surface temperature pixel intensity values (7.3 and 12.1 μm channels, respectively) in order to obtain absolute IWV (kg/m2) or PWV (mm) distribution. The results show good agreement between the absolute values obtained from our triangulation strategy based solely on GPS Zenith Total Delays (ZTD) and METEOSAT-10 surface temperature data compared with available radiosonde Precipitable IWV/PWV absolute values. The presented strategy can provide unprecedented temporal and special IWV/PWV distribution, which is needed as part of the accurate and comprehensive initial conditions provided by upper-air observation systems at temporal and spatial resolutions consistent with the models assimilating them.
doi:10.5194/amt-2016-217 fatcat:z4tla6x6bbem3lsbqplwrnrujy