High temporal resolution global PWV dataset of 2005–2016 by using a neural network approach to determine the mean temperature of the atmosphere

Atmospheric water vapour plays an important role in phenomena related to the global hydrologic cycle and climate change. However, the rapid temporal–spatial variation in global tropospheric water vapour has not been well investigated due to a lack of long-term, high-temporal-resolution precipitable water vapour (PWV). Accordingly, this study generates an hourly PWV dataset for 272 ground-based International Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Service (IGS) stations over the period of 2005–2016 using the zenith troposphere delay (ZTD) derived from global-scale GNSS observation. The root mean square (RMS) of the hourly ZTD obtained from the IGS tropospheric product is approximately 4 mm. A fifth-generation reanalysis dataset of the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF ERA5) is used to obtain hourly surface temperature (T) and pressure (P), which are first validated with GNSS synoptic station data and radiosonde data, respectively. Then, T and P are used to calculate the water vapour-weighted atmospheric mean temperature (Tm) and zenith hydrostatic delay (ZHD), respectively. T and P at the GNSS stations are obtained via an interpolation in the horizontal and vertical directions using the grid-based ERA5 reanalysis dataset. Here, Tm is calculated using a neural network model, whereas ZHD is obtained using an empirical Saastamoinen model. The RMS values of T and P at the collocated 693 radiosonde stations are 1.6 K and 3.1 hPa, respectively. Therefore, the theoretical error of PWV caused by the errors in ZTD, T and P is on the order of approximately 2.1 mm. A practical comparison experiment is performed using 97 collocated radiosonde stations and 23 GNSS stations equipped with meteorological sensors. The RMS and bias of the hourly PWV dataset are 2.87/?0.16 and 2.45/0.55 mm, respectively, when compared with radiosonde and GNSS stations equipped with meteorological sensors. Additionally, preliminary analysis of the hourly PWV dataset during the EI Niño event of 2014–2016 further indicates the capability of monitoring the daily changes in atmospheric water vapour. This finding is interesting and significant for further climate research.     

航空器遭遇严重积冰天气分析

利用常规天气资料、NCEP/NCAR的1°×1°再分析资料对2012年3月19日发生在北疆沿天山地区强降水过程造成航空器严重积冰的天气进行了分析。结果表明:(1)500 h Pa西南急流和400 h Pa以上偏西急流的存在,配合中低空冷空气的补充,为积冰天气的形成提供了适宜的条件。(2)乌鲁木齐上空高湿层随时间逐渐下降,对应的温度、温度露点差向适宜积冰的区域变化,为强积冰天气提供了有利的温湿条件。(3)强积冰区存在一个弱的、持续性的垂直上升运动,垂直运动导致液态水聚集带形成,弱上升运动区对应发生强积冰合适的温湿高度层。(4)19日14时~20日02时,石河子到乌鲁木齐区域积冰指数是一个迅速增大的过程,强积冰区由石河子经呼图壁向乌鲁木齐蔓延,积冰高度随时间下降。     

Comparison of satellite orbit ephemerides for use in GPS meteorology

This paper discusses GPS (Global Position System) meteorology. The research presented is based on a comparison of values of precipitable water vapour PWV, based on GPS measurements using final and predicted ephemerides of satellite orbits. We analysed recent year’s improvement in predicting ephemerides. We compared the data outputs from a radiosonde using GPS receiver measurements directly from the meteorological station from which the radiosondes were launched. The results indicate a high quality of the predicted ephemerides. This finding makes predicted ephemerides highly usable for near real-time estimations of PWV. To use PWV in meteorological forecast applications, this high speed of PWV values supply is necessary.     

0 °C isotherm height for satellite communication in Malaysia

The 0 °C isotherm height is an important parameter for prediction of rain attenuation of microwave and millimeter wave for Earth-space communication. The variations of 0 °C isotherm heights for two monsoon seasons have been studied based on an analysis of radiosonde over three stations. The exceedence probability statistics of rain height are compared between the two seasons. The results on the 0 °C isotherm height can be utilized for the estimation of attenuation of microwave and millimeter wave due to rain over Earth-space paths. Attenuations of radio wave due to rain at frequencies above 10 GHz and above have also been estimated using the 0 °C isotherm height so derived.     

Venus atmospheric platform options revisited

Various balloon systems intended as scientific platforms to float in the atmosphere of Venus at altitudes between about 35 and 65 km are briefly reviewed. Previous predictions of the altitude oscillations of balloons filled with helium gas and water vapor are largely confirmed through numerical simulation and analysis. The need for refined thermal modelling is emphasised. Several novel technical concepts are introduced. It is concluded that phase change balloons would be more suitable than non-condensing super pressure gas balloons when repeated altitude excursions are a mission requirement.     

中国中部低层大气行星波无线电探空仪的观测研究

通过分析武汉、宜昌和恩施气象局无线电探空仪2001-2003年的观测数据,研究了中国中部地区对流层和低平流层中行星波的特性.通过Lomb-Scargle(L-S)的周期图方法发现了周期为准16天和周期为准10天的谱分量占据着主导地位.观察发现,较大振幅的行星波振荡主要集中在5-15 km之间.准16天行星波沿纬圈向西传播,对应的纬圈波数大约为2,水平波长约为17 324.8 km,传播相速度约为-12.5 m·s-1(东向为正),通过计算准16天行星波在10 km以下相位随高度的改变可以得到其垂直波长大约为25-30 km,而在对波层顶附近其相位几乎没有发生改变,呈现出静态波特性.准10天行星波沿纬圈向东传播,对应的纬圈波数大约为4,水平波长约为8627.3 km,传播相速度约为10.0 m·s-1,垂直波长约为22-40 km.      

急流与低层大气重力波能量的相关性研究

通过分析武汉(30.5oN, 114oE)上空2000至2004年的Radiosonde常规观测数据, 对当地对流层(1~10 km)与低平流层(18~25km)的某些惯性重力波特征进行了研究, 发现重力波能量与急流强度变化之间存在显著的相关. 同时分析了海口(20oN, 114oE)(2000至2004年)、北京(40oN, 116oE)(2001年12月至2003年2 月)的Radiosonde观测数据并进行了比较, 发现较高纬度地区的相关性明显大于低纬度地区. 通过对武汉地区2006年1月5天Radiosonde加密观测数据的分析, 讨论了重力波动能与势能的高度变化, 进一步发现纬向风的垂直剪切与急流中心的分布分别与重力波势能和动能的强弱分布相对应.      

武汉上空对流层与平流层大气密度和温度探测的初步结果

利用武汉大学Rayleieh/钠荧光散射激光雷达和无线电探空仪进行联合探测的数据,反演出武汉地区上空(30.5°N,114.4°W)0—65km处的密度和温度分布曲线,并简单阐述了激光雷达的工作原理。将测量结果和MSISE-90参考大气模式比较,二者结果基本符合,温度廓线在中层顶附近和模式的差别约为3K。同时利用激光雷达探测到了中层大气中的重力波活动。     

Radiometric estimation of water vapor content over Brazil

A multi-channel microwave radiometre (make: Radiometrics Corporation) is installed at Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais–INPE, Brazil (22°S). The radiometric output of two channels of the radiometer in the form of brightness temperature at 23.834 GHz and 30 GHz, initially, were used to find out the ambient water vapor content and the non-precipitable cloud liquid water content. The necessary algorithm was developed for the purpose. The best results were obtained using the hinge frequency 23.834 GHz and 30 GHz pair having an r.m.s. error of only 2.64. The same methodology was then adopted exploiting 23.034 GHz and 30 GHz pair. In that case the r.m.s. error was 3.42. These results were then compared with those obtained over Kolkata (22°N), India, by using 22.234 GHz and 31.4 GHz radiometric data. This work conclusively suggests the use of a frequency should not be at the water vapor resonance line. Instead, while measuring the vapor content for separation of vapor and cloud liquid, one of them should be a few GHz left or right from the resonance line i.e., at 23.834 GHz and the other one should be around 30 GHz.     

武汉与海口地区对流层顶的变化特征

通过对武汉和海口地区2000-2004年Radiosonde常规观测数据的分析,讨论了当地对流层顶温度与高度的年变化特征,并与热带地区站点的结果进行了比较.各等压面温度的扰动、温度递减率及对流层厚度的年变化特征显示,对流层顶更多地受到了平流层的影响.通过对武汉地区2006年1月11-15日Radiosonde加密观测数据的分析,对武汉地区对流层顶周日变化的特征进行了探讨,结果表明武汉地区对流层顶的温度存在显著的周日变化.