Upper Tropospheric and Lower Stratospheric Measurements of Water Vapor by the JPL Laser Hygrometer Mark 2

Abstract:

The concentration of water vapor in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere has a significant impact on climate. Over the last sixteen years, the JPL Laser Hygrometers have collected a significant data record of atmospheric humidity from several platforms, including the NASA ER-2, WB-57, DC-8, and Global Hawk. Here, we describe the observed relation between atmospheric humidity and temperature in-cloud and out of cloud near the tropopause. The relation between cloud microphysical properties and humidity is also explored. We feature measurements of water vapor from a substantially improved instrument, JPL Laser Hygrometer Mark 2, made during the 2013 NASA SEAC4RS (Studies of Emissions and Atmospheric Composition, Clouds and Climate Coupling by Regional Surveys) field mission.