Information Content of a Synergy of Ground-Based and Space-Based Infrared Sounders. Part I: Clear-Sky Environments

Journal Article · 31 May 2022 · Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1175/JTECH-D-21-0119.1 · OSTI ID:1870929

Loveless, David M. ^[1]; Wagner, Timothy J. ^[2]; Knuteson, Robert O. ^[2]; Turner, David D. ^[3]; Ackerman, Steven A. ^[1]

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1. a Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, b Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies, Space Science and Engineering Center, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
2. b Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies, Space Science and Engineering Center, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
3. c National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Global Systems Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado

Abstract Profiles of atmospheric temperature and water vapor from remotely sensed platforms provide critical observations within the temporal and spatial gaps of the radiosonde network. The 2017 National Academies of Science Decadal Survey highlighted that observations of the planetary boundary layer (PBL) from the current space-based observing system are not of the necessary accuracy or resolution for monitoring and predicting high-impact weather phenomena. One possible solution to improving observations of the PBL is supplementing the existing space-based observing system with a network of ground-based profilers. A synthetic information content study is developed utilizing profiles from the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program sites at the Southern Great Plains (SGP), east North Atlantic (ENA), and North Slope of Alaska (NSA) to assess the benefits, in terms of degrees of freedom (DOF), vertical resolution, and uncertainties, of a synergy between the ground-based Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer (AERI) with space-based hyperspectral infrared (IR) sounders. A combination of AERI with any of the three polar-orbiting IR sounders: the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS), the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS), or the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI), results in a DOF increase of 30%–40% in the surface-to-700-hPa layer compared to the space-based instrument alone. Introducing AERI measurements to the observing system also results in significant improvements to vertical resolution and uncertainties in the bottom 1000 m of the atmosphere compared to CrIS measurements alone. A synergy of CrIS and AERI exceeds the 1-km-vertical-resolution goal set by the Decadal Survey in the lowest 1000 m.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Data Center
• Sponsoring Organization: NASA; NOAA Global System Laboratory; USDOE; USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER)
• Contributing Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL); Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL); Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL); Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)
• Grant/Contract Number: 89243019SSC000034; SC0008830
• OSTI ID: 1870929
• Journal Information: Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, Journal Name: Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 39; ISSN 0739-0572
• Publisher: American Meteorological SocietyCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English