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LEO Science Seminar: Current and Future Multisensor Satellite Water Vapor Products

Presenter(s):

John Forsythe, Senior Research Associate, Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA), Colorado State University

Description:

Atmospheric water vapor is the fuel which drives heavy precipitation and floods. Satellites are the only way to realize a global view of this essential variable. CIRA-developed water vapor products are used by the National Weather Service to track pipelines of moisture and warn of dangerous flooding conditions. Two operational NOAA products, the Blended Total Precipitable Water (BTPW) and the Advected Layer Precipitable Water (ALPW), are driven primarily by passive microwave retrievals from LEO sensors but include other sensors. These products rely on the operational NOAA and MetOp series of spacecraft, which are limited to specific orbital planes and sampling times. The status of the operational and future planned derived products will be provided. Also, in the past few years, smaller low-cost passive microwave sensors have become available which might be able to make these products even better. This includes higher temporal refresh and lower latency. Future impacts of these sensors will be discussed.

Access

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