Combined forecast impact of GRACE-A and CHAMP GPS radio occultation bending angle profiles

Abstract

Impact experiments assimilating GRACE-A and CHAMP GPS radio occultation (GPSRO) bending angle profiles are presented. The standard deviation of the observation minus background bending angle departures above 35-km is 30% smaller for GRACE-A than CHAMP, indicating that the GRACE-A measurements are more accurate. Assimilating the GPSRO measurements improves stratospheric temperatures in the Southern Hemisphere. The combined impact of GRACE-A and CHAMP is greater than assimilating either instrument individually. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society.