Observed HIRS and Aqua MODIS Thermal Infrared Moisture Determinations in the 2000s

This paper compares the tropospheric moisture data records derived from High-resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder (HIRS) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer (MODIS) measurements from the years 2003 through 2013. Total Precipitable Water Vapor (TPW) and Upper Tropospheric Precipitable...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Eva E. Borbas, Paul W. Menzel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-01-01
Series:Remote Sensing
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/13/3/502
Description
Summary:This paper compares the tropospheric moisture data records derived from High-resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder (HIRS) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer (MODIS) measurements from the years 2003 through 2013. Total Precipitable Water Vapor (TPW) and Upper Tropospheric Precipitable Water Vapor (UTPW) are derived using the infrared spectral bands in the CO<sub>2</sub> and H<sub>2</sub>O absorption bands as well as in the atmospheric windows. Retrieval of TPW and UTPW uses a statistical regression algorithm performed using clear sky radiances (and Brightness Temperatures) measured over land and ocean for both day and night. The TPW and UTPW seasonal cycles of HIRS and MODIS observations are found to be in synchronization with zonal mean values for one degree latitude bands within 2.0 mm and 0.07 mm, respectively.
ISSN:2072-4292