Upper-tropospheric water vapor from UARS MLS

Abstract

Initial results of upper-tropospheric water vapor obtained from the Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) on the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) are presented. MLS is less affected by clouds than infrared or visible techniques, and the UARS orbit provides daily humidity monitoring for approximately two-thirds of the earth. The observed latitude variation of water vapor at 215 hPa is in good agreement with the UK Universities's Global Atmospheric Modelling Project model. The ability to observe synoptic-scale features associated with tropopause height variations is clearly illustrated by comparison with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Goddard Space Flight Center assimilation model. Humidity detrainment streams extending from tropical convective regions are also observed. -from Authors