Developing Atmospheric Stability Parameter to Improve MFRSR Data
Authors
Gary B. Hodges — NOAA- Earth System Research Laboratory
Christian Herrera — University of Colorado
Category
ARM infrastructure
Description
Using fundamental measurements from the Multi-Filter Rotating Shadowband Radiometer (MFRSR), an Atmospheric Stability Parameter (ASP) is developed that can be used to improve the MFRSR dataset. Four individual measurements taken over 4-8 seconds comprise a single MFRSR data record. Because the four measurements are not simultaneous, it's possible for atmospheric conditions to change enough during the measurement sequence to cause spuriously high or low values, particularly for the diffuse measurement. A method to identify data records that are impacted by changing atmospheric conditions is described, as well as suggested changes to the basic MFRSR operations that will allow the development of an even more refined ASP, and/or provide the option for ASPs to be separately developed for the direct and diffuse measurements.
