An Assessment of Upper Tropospheric and Lower Stratospheric Moisture Simulations in Analysis and Reanalysis Models Using 10-Year Aura MLS Observations

Abstract:

We use 10-year global water vapor maxing ratio (H₂O) measurements from Microwave LimeSounder (MLS) on Aura satellite to evaluate the performance of three analysis/reanalysis models: Goddard Earth Observation System data assimilation system, version 5 (GEOS5); Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for research and Applications (MERRA); and European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). We focus on H₂O variations on both seasonal and decadal time scales. Vertical and horizontal speeds of H₂O transport are estimated from the pressure-time and latitude-time series analyses. The differences between the MLS observations and analysis/reanalysis models are quantified.