HIRDLS Observations of the Extra-Tropical UTLS and NRT Data During START08

START08 Workshop

HIRDLS Observations ofthe Extra-Tropical UTLS and NRT Data During START08

John Gille

University of Colorado and NCAR

START08/Pre HIPPO Workshop

9 January 2008

START08 Workshop

High Resolution Dynamics Limb Sounder (HIRDLS) Experiment

A 21 channel infrared limb scanner, selected for its ability to: • Sound the tropopause

region, • Get high vertical resolution

• Measure temperature, H2O,

O3, NO2, CH4, N2O, HNO3,

ClONO2, F11, F12, N2O5

• Cirrus, PSC’s and aerosol heights, amounts and characteristics

T/p H2OCFC11 Aerosol

ClONO2

HNO3

N2O5

NO2

CFC12CH4

N2OO3

80km

0 km

60km

40km

20km

Upper limits for T and O3 nominal- may be extended to ≥ 90 km in future

Significant advances -Optically thin channels to sound tropopause regionCapability for high vertical resolution (≤ 1 km)Capability for high horizontal resolution (≤ 400 x 500 km)Long life (> 5 years)

(Red- Presently available species)

START08 Workshop START08, 1/9/08

HIRDLS Averaging Kernels & Resolution 46°N, 15 Jan 2007

•Detectors subtend about 1.2 km vertically at the limb, sampled every 200 m.•With low noise, permits high vertical resolution.•Data reported every 0.67 km, ~ 10% in pres.

START08 Workshop

Summary of HIRDLS T and O3 evaluations

Ozone difference between HIRDLS and ozonesondes (20+ sondes using 0.5% KI cathode solution) from the summer 2006 WAVES Campaign, sited in Beltsville, MD, 39N, 77W. Ozone differences are shown in terms of mixing ratio From Nardi et al., 2008.

Comparison of HIRDLS temperatures with analyzed ECMWF temperatures interpolated to HIRDLS measurement locations. Mean and standard deviations of HIRDLS minus ECMWF temperature differences over full latitude range of HIRDLS measurements. From Gille et al., 2008.

ECMWF – HIRDLS, T, K

START08 Workshop

High Vertical ResolutionOzone Measurements in the E. Pacific

(Hilo)

START08 Workshop

HIRDLS Temperature, Ozone and Nitric Acid along Orbital Track in E. Pacific

Note doubletropopause

Solid white lines-scaled Ertel PV.

Dashed linesindicate u in m/s

START08 Workshop

Comparison Between HIRDLS and NCEP GFS Static Stability

From Laura Pan

START08 Workshop

HIRDLS Along-track Ozone Cross-Section And GFS Static Stability

Ozone

GFS d/dz

From Laura Pan

START08 Workshop

HIRDLS T & O3 Cross-sections in the E. Pacific UT/LS

Along-track temperature and ozone fields for late January, 2006, showing evolution of transports between low latitude UT and mid-latitude LS

Days from the top:January 20, 21, 23, 25, 26.

Jan 20-26 2006

START08 Workshop

GEOS-5 Cross-sections of TemperaturePotential Vorticity, and Ozone

START08 Workshop

Laminar Structure in UT/LS1 April 2006

START08 Workshop

HIRDLS SCAN TRACKS FOR1 DAY OVER U.S.

Red- Ascending Orbit ~ 3 PM local time

Blue- Descending Orbit ~ Midnight local time

START08 Workshop

HIRDLS Near-Real Time Data for START08

• In early stages of development• Technical Problems- timely acquisition of

- S/C attitude and ephemeris data

- Forecast GMAO data for LOS gradient calculations

- HIRDLS L0 data

• Solutions exist- need to be implemented & tested• Should be possible to automate, process orbit

within a few hours of observations• Midnight-over Boulder, & West Coast, available

following morning• Daytime passes - Possible coincidences with

HIAPER flights

START08 Workshop

Conclusions- 1

• HIRDLS 1 km vertical x 1° latitude resolution allows detection of thin layers in the UT/LS

x/z = 102 ~ N/f gives dynamically consistent observations

Shows double tropopause

Poleward motion of UT tropical air (low ozone and HNO3),

Equatorward motion of mid-latitude LS air (high ozone and HNO3)

• Layers are consistent with contours of GEOS5 scaled Ertel PV

• Locations of thin layer structures in the UT/LS can be found from column ozone maps of OMI and GEOS5, as well as GEOS5 and GFS temperature and PV maps

START08 Workshop

Conclusions -2

• GEOS5 PV & T analyses capture thin layer structures, while O3 analysis does not.

• These layers almost certainly result in mixing, although more

extensive study needed

• Many questions remain. HIRDLS data will help to explore O3 and tracer transport/mixing in the UTLS region.

• HIRDLS NRT data should aid in START08 flight planning.

• HIRDLS data should provide important support to achieving START08 objectives.

START08 Workshop

START08 Workshop

Correspondence between GEOS-5PV & Ozone Maps and Cross-Sections