Motivating a synergistic mixing-layer height retrieval method using backscatter lidar returns and microwave-radiometer temperature observations

Mixing-Layer-Height (MLH) retrieval methods using backscattered lidar signals from a ceilometer (Jenoptik CHM-15k Nimbus) and temperature profiles from a Microwave Radiometer (MWR, HATPRO RPG) are compared in terms of their complementary capabilities and associated uncertainties. The Extended Kalman...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Silva, Marcos Paulo Aráujo da|||0000-0002-5260-8937, Rocadenbosch Burillo, Francisco|||0000-0001-8614-4408, Tanamachi, Robin, Saeed, Umar|||0000-0003-0261-2767
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2022
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/364335
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/364335
https://dx.doi.org/10.1109/TGRS.2022.3158401
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Optical radar
Remote sensing
Boundary layer (Meteorology)
Lidar
Laser radar
Ceilometers
Microwave radiometry
Error analysis
Signal processing
Atmospheric boundary layer height
Mixed layer
Radar òptic
Capa límit (Meteorologia)
Teledetecció
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria de la telecomunicació::Radiocomunicació i exploració electromagnètica::Teledetecció
Descripción
Sumario:Mixing-Layer-Height (MLH) retrieval methods using backscattered lidar signals from a ceilometer (Jenoptik CHM-15k Nimbus) and temperature profiles from a Microwave Radiometer (MWR, HATPRO RPG) are compared in terms of their complementary capabilities and associated uncertainties. The Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) is used for MLH retrieval from backscattered lidar signals and the parcel method is used for MLH retrieval from MWR-derived potential-temperature profiles. The two principal sources of uncertainty in ceilometer-based MLH estimates are (i) incorrect layer attribution (~ hundreds of meters) and (ii) noise-induced errors (about 50 m at 3σ). MWR MLH uncertainties comprise (i) the total uncertainty in the retrieved potential temperature profile and (ii) ±0.5 K uncertainty in the surface temperature. Ceilometer-and MWR-based MLH estimates are in turn compared with reference to MLH estimates from radiosoundings. Twenty one measurement days from the HD(CP)2 Observational Prototype Experiment (HOPE) campaign at Jülich, Germany are considered. It is shown that the MWR can track the full Mixed Layer (ML) diurnal cycle (i.e., including morning and evening transitions) with height-increasing error bars. The ceilometer-EKF MLH estimates are much smaller errorbars than those from the MWR under the well-developed clear-sky ML but the ceilometer-EKF is prone to ambiguous tracking some multilayer scenarios (e.g., the residual layer). We therefore introduce the synergistic MLH retrieval approach that combines both ceilometer and MWR estimates in order to optimize the benefits of both.