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

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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

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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, PSCs and aerosol heights,
amounts and characteristics
Upper limits for T and O3 nominal- may be
extended to 90 km in future
CFC11
Aerosol
HNO3
NO2
CH4
O3
T/p
H2O
ClONO2
N2O5
CFC12
N2O
(Red- Presently available species)
Significant advances - Optically thin channels
to sound tropopause region Capability for high
vertical resolution ( 1 km) Capability for high
horizontal resolution ( 400 x 500 km) Long life
(gt 5 years)
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HIRDLS Averaging Kernels Resolution 46N, 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, 1/9/08
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Summary of HIRDLS T and O3 evaluations
ECMWF HIRDLS, T, K
Ozone difference between HIRDLS and ozonesondes
(20 sondes using 0.5 KI cathode solution) from
the summer 2006 WAVES Campaign, sited in
Beltsville, MD, 39?N, 77?W. 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.
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High Vertical Resolution Ozone Measurements in
the E. Pacific
(Hilo)
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HIRDLS Temperature, Ozone and Nitric Acid along
Orbital Track in E. Pacific
Note double tropopause
Solid white lines-scaled Ertel PV. Dashed
lines indicate u in m/s
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Comparison Between HIRDLS and NCEP GFS Static
Stability
From Laura Pan
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HIRDLS Along-track Ozone Cross- Section And GFS
Static Stability
Ozone
GFS d?/dz
From Laura Pan
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HIRDLS T O3 Cross-sections in the E. Pacific
UT/LS
Jan 20-26 2006

• 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.

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GEOS-5 Cross-sections of Temperature Potential
Vorticity, and Ozone
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Laminar Structure in UT/LS1 April 2006
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HIRDLS SCAN TRACKS FOR1 DAY OVER U.S.
Red- Ascending Orbit 3 PM local
time Blue- Descending Orbit Midnight
local time
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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

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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

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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.

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