Investigation of integrated water vapor content variations in troposphere in the continent-ocean transition zone (Primorsky Krai, Far East of Russia) from GNSS observations

Abstract

In this work, using the classical technique for determining of the integral water vapor content in the Earth's troposphere (Integrated Water Vapor - IWV) we studied the IWV variations in the continentocean transition zone from GNSS observations at two points located in the continental and coastal parts of Primorsky Krai (Far East of Russia). Using the measurements at the nearest stations of the global GNSS-network IGS and radiosonde data the high accuracy and reliability of the estimates of atmospheric moisture content have been confirmed. At the measurement points, IWV variations for the period from 2015 to 2019 were studied, empirical approximation models of annual variations in IWV were constructed, the obtained estimates were compared with the data of the global model GFS and Reanalysis ERA5. The diurnal changes in the concentration of water vapor in the atmosphere, as well as its change during the passage of typhoons, accompanied by massive precipitation, were studied. It was found that more than 60 % of massive precipitation (>20 mm) falls within 3-9 hours at the IWV decline after a sharp increase in the integral moisture content recorded by GNSS methods. The high accuracy and frequency of IVW determination (up to 1 Hz), together with the high efficiency of obtaining information about the IWV change from GNSS observations, open up broad prospects for the application of GNSS meteorology in the forecasting practice of hydrometeorological services in the Russian Federation.