Current status of the upcoming water vapor data sets from SAGE II and SAGE III experiments
Abstract
The multi-year water vapor data set (version 5.9, covering January 1986 through May 1991) from the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment II (SAGE II) played an important role in the SPARC Assessment of Upper Tropspheric and Stratospheric Water Vapor (WMO/TD No.1043, SPARC Report No.2; December 2000). Since then, revised SAGE II water vapor data sets, version 6.0 and version 6.1, covering an extended period of 16 years (1984 through 2000) were released in July 2000 and October 2001. Following extensive studies, a newly improved SAGE II water vapor data set (version 6.2) is currently being processed. Using the updated information of spectral channel location and spectral bandwidth together with an improved aerosol model, this upcoming SAGE II water vapor data set has achieved significant improvements regarding the previously existing dry-bias in the lower to middle stratosphere. The Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment III (SAGE III), an improved extension of SAGE II and part of NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) program, was succesfully launched aboard Russian METEOR 3M-1 platform in December 2001. The data sets of aerosol, ozone and nitrogen dioxide from SAGE III were released in November 2002. Subsequent archival of SAGE III water vapor measurements will take place following successful assessment and validation efforts. The purpose of this paper is to present the current status of the upcoming water vapor data sets to be released from both SAGE II and SAGE III experiments. Examples will be shown to demonstrate the improvements of version 6.2 SAGE II water vapor profiles through comparisons with coincident measurements from baloon-borne frost-point hygrometer and HALOE satellite experiment. Preliminary assessment of water vapor profiles retrieved from SAGE III experiment will also be discussed.
- Publication:
-
EGS - AGU - EUG Joint Assembly
- Pub Date:
- April 2003
- Bibcode:
- 2003EAEJA.....7395C