Evaluation of first data from the operational 3-channel microwave radiometers (MWR3C)

 

Author

Maria Paola Cadeddu — Argonne National Laboratory

Category

Instruments

Description

Between October and December 2011 the new 3-channel microwave radiometers (MWR3C) have become operational at three ARM sites (Southern Great Plains, the second ARM Mobile Facility, and Tropical Western Pacific-Darwin). We present the new datastreams and a first evaluation of the data set.

We compare the brightness temperature measurements with measurements from the 2-channel MWR, from the RPG 90/150 radiometer, and with model computations to assess overall accuracy of the calibration and stability of the instruments.

We present the new retrieval algorithm for the real-time estimation of precipitable water vapor and liquid water path and compare the results with retrievals from the 2-channel MWR. The new data set and real-time retrievals are available from the ARM Data Archive.

An assessment of the newly developed rain mitigation system and rain detection capability is also shown. The new MWR3C will become operational at the remaining ARM sites in the upcoming months.