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GPS-derived precipitable water vapour and its comparison with MODIS data for Almora, Central Himalaya, India

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Abstract

The present study is an attempt to analyse the precipitable water vapour (PWV) derived from Global Positioning System (GPS) and observed meteorological data over Almora, Central Himalayan Region. The PWV values derived using GPS study is compared with the corresponding moderate resolution imaging spectro-radiometer (MODIS) data. The statistical analysis reveals a positive correlation between both methods. Moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer near-infrared (MODIS NIR) clear column water vapour product shows a higher correlation (R 2 = 90–93 %) with GPS-derived precipitable water vapour on annual scale as compared to the seasonal scale (R 2 = 62–87 %). MODIS is found to be overestimating in NIR clear column where the magnitude of bias and RMSE show systematic changes from season to season. Monsoon is an important phenomenon in the Indian weather context and holds significant importance in Central Himalayan ecosystem. The monthly and seasonal variation in precipitable water vapour is related with monsoon onset in the region. Diurnal variations in precipitable water vapour are studied with other meteorological data over Almora during dry and wet season. The precipitable water vapour had minimum value in the morning, increases in the afternoon to evening and again decreases to the midnight in both the dry and wet seasons. These results suggest that diurnal variation of water vapour is caused by the transport of water vapour by thermally induced local circulation.

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Acknowledgments

We are thankful to Ministry of Earth science (MOES), India for the GPS data of Indian GPS networks. We are also thankful to the Director, G. B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Kosi-Katarmal Almora for his motivating attitude and time to time help during the project. We would also like to acknowledge the support given by Dr. R.W. King, Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. We are also thankful to anonymous reviewers for input/comments which helped in improving the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Water Resource Management and Climate Study, Watershed Processed and Management Theme, G. B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora, 263643, India

    Sneh Joshi

  2. Watershed Management and Environmental Engineering, Watershed Processed and Management Theme, G. B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora, 263643, India

    Kireet Kumar

  3. High Energy Physics, D.S.B. Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital, India

    Bimal Pande

  4. Information Technology Analyst, Tata Consultancy Services, Mumbai, India

    Mukesh Chandra Pant

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  1. Sneh Joshi
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  2. Kireet Kumar
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  3. Bimal Pande
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  4. Mukesh Chandra Pant
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Correspondence to Sneh Joshi.

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Responsible editor: J. Fasullo.

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Joshi, S., Kumar, K., Pande, B. et al. GPS-derived precipitable water vapour and its comparison with MODIS data for Almora, Central Himalaya, India. Meteorol Atmos Phys 120, 177–187 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00703-013-0242-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00703-013-0242-z

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