Quantifying the Accuracy and Uncertainty of Diurnal Thermodynamic Profiles and Convection Indices Derived from the Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer

Journal Article · 19 October 2017 · Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1175/jamc-d-17-0036.1 · OSTI ID:1400343

Blumberg, W. G. ^[1]; Wagner, T. J. ^[2]; Turner, D. D. ^[3]; Correia, J. ^[4]

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1. Univ. of Oklahoma, Norman, OK (United States). School of Meteorology, and Cooperative Inst. for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies
2. Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI (United States). Space Science and Engineering Center, and Cooperative Inst. for Meteorological Satellite Studies
3. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Boulder, CO (United States). Earth System Research Lab.
4. Univ. of Oklahoma, Norman, OK (United States). Cooperative Inst. for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Norman, OK (United States). Storm Prediction Center

While radiosondes have provided atmospheric scientists an accurate high-vertical-resolution profile of the troposphere for decades, they are unable to provide high-temporal-resolution observations without significant recurring expenses. Remote sensing technology, however, has the ability to monitor the evolution of the atmosphere in unprecedented detail. One particularly promising tool is the Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer (AERI), a passive ground-based infrared radiometer. Through a physical retrieval, the AERI can retrieve the vertical profile of temperature and humidity at a temporal resolution on the order of minutes. The synthesis of these two instruments may provide an improved diagnosis of the processes occurring in the atmosphere. This study provides a better understanding of the capabilities of the AERI in environments supportive of deep, moist convection. Using 3-hourly radiosonde launches and thermodynamic profiles retrieved from collocated AERIs, this study evaluates the accuracy of AERI-derived profiles over the diurnal cycle by analyzing AERI profiles in both the convective and stable boundary layers. Monte Carlo sampling is used to calculate the distribution of convection indices and compare the impact of measurement errors from each instrument platform on indices. Here, we indicate that the nonintegrated indices (e.g., lifted index) derived from AERI retrievals are more accurate than integrated indices (e.g., CAPE). While the AERI retrieval’s vertical resolution can inhibit precise diagnoses of capping inversions, the high-temporal-resolution nature of the AERI profiles overall helps in detecting rapid temporal changes in stability.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Oklahoma, Norman, OK (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER)
• Grant/Contract Number: SC0014375
• OSTI ID: 1400343
• Alternate ID(s): OSTI ID: 1541810
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, Vol. 56, Issue 10; ISSN 1558-8424
• Publisher: American Meteorological SocietyCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English