Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Response: Examination of ‘global atmospheric temperature monitoring with satellite microwave measurements’ (3) cloud and rain contamination

  • Published:
Climatic Change Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Observations in channel 1 (Ch. 1, 50.3 GHz) and channel 2 (Ch. 2, 53.74 GHz) of the Microwave Sounding Unit (MSU) over the convective areas of tropical oceans are analysed to reveal the nature of extinction (contamination) in these data. From this analysis we find Ch. 2 data are not free from the influence of clouds and rain. Extinction due to clouds and rain manifests primarily as emission in Ch. 1, and as absorption in Ch. 2. Scattering due to hydrometeors in these channels apparently is of secondary importance. Furthermore we show, in the convective areas of tropical oceans, contamination due to hydrometeors in MSU Ch. 2 data is significant and it is extensive in area. Based on this study we conclude Spencer, Christy, and Grody (this issue) underestimate this contamination.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Prabhakara, C., Nucciarone, J. J., and Yoo, J.-M.: 1995, ‘Examination of “Global Atmospheric Temperature Monitoring with Satellite Microwave Measurements”: (1) Theoretical Considerations’, Clim. Change 30, 349–366.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prabhakara, C., Yoo, J.-M., Maloney, S. P., Nucciarone, J. J., Arking, A., Cadeddu, M., and Dalu, G.: 1996, ‘Examination of “Global Atmospheric Temperature Monitoring with Satellite Microwave Measurements”: (2) Analysis of Satellite Data’, Clim. Change 33, 459–476 (this issue).

    Google Scholar 

  • Spencer, R. W. and Christy, J. R.: 1990, ‘Precision Monitoring of Global Temperature Trends from Satellites’, Science 247, 1558–1562.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spencer, R. W. and Christy, J. R.: 1992, ‘Precision and Radiosonde Validation of Satellite Grid Point Temperature Anomalies, Part 1: MSU Channel 2’, J. Climate 5, 847–857.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spencer, R. W., Christy, J. R., and Grody, N. C.: 1996, Analysis of ‘Examination of “Global Atmospheric Temperature Monitoring with Satellite Microwave Measurements”’, Clim. Change 33, 477–489 (this issue).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Code 913, NASA/GODDARD Space Flight Center, 20771, Greenbelt, MD, U.S.A

    C. Prabhakara

  2. Universities Space Research Association, NASA/Goddard, 20771, Greenbelt, MD, U.S.A

    Maria Cadeddu

  3. Ewha Womens University, Seoul, South Korea

    Jung-Moon Yoo

  4. Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, 21218, MD, U.S.A

    Albert Arking

  5. C.N.R. Area Della Receria Di Cagliari, Italy

    G. Dalu

Authors
  1. C. Prabhakara
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Maria Cadeddu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jung-Moon Yoo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Albert Arking
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. G. Dalu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Prabhakara, C., Cadeddu, M., Yoo, JM. et al. Response: Examination of ‘global atmospheric temperature monitoring with satellite microwave measurements’ (3) cloud and rain contamination. Climatic Change 33, 491–496 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00141701

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00141701

Keywords

Search

Navigation