Atmospheric Observations of Weather and Climate

Abstract

Current observation systems that provide data for the analysis and prediction of climate and day-to-day weather are described, along with plans for future systems. The basic principles of satellite, radar, lidar, and sodar measurements are summarized. Temperature and moisture measurements on planetary and synoptic scales, ranging from satellites, the radiosonde network, aircraft, and other sounding systems are described. Wind measurements from satellites, rawinsondes, air composition from satellites, the energy budget, and surface measurements are also discussed. The measuring systems for mesoscale and convective-scale weather are then noted, including satellite-borne radiation instrumentation, and lightning imaging sensors. Operational, fixed-site, and mobile and airborne research radars, surface instrumentation, and ground-based and in-situ profiling systems, aircraft-borne and shipborne instrumentation are also summarized. Special observation issues such as coordination among providers, data assimilation considerations, and data curation are then considered. Special issues for the future are noted in the last section.