Comparison of water vapour profiles measured using a Raman lidar and a microwave radiometer at Chilbolton Observatory, UK

Accurate atmospheric water vapour profiles with good time and height resolution are important in many areas of weather prediction and atmospheric research. They are commonly obtained using radiosondes. Lidars and profiling microwave radiometers offer methods to provide vertical profiles with greater temporal resolution than radiosondes, but both have some drawbacks. In this paper, comparisons are made between the performances of a Raman lidar, a profiling microwave radiometer and radiosondes using measurements made at Chilbolton Observatory in summer 2003. The advantages and disadvantages of each system are discussed.