An IR Sounding-Based Analysis of the Saharan Air Layer in North Africa
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2018
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Abstract
• Evaluated AIRS SAL detection potential given porous radiosonde network (2002–2016)
• AIRS vs AIRS/AMSU WML detection rates within 5%
• WML: Potent seasonal cycle, best resolved by AIRS
• SAL Frequency: Well-matched to observations, WML to SAL conversion rates highest in Sahara (Max 26%)
• SAL Properties:
• Distinct warm bias (esp. ECMWF)
• Layer thickness well captured, but AIRS IQR too small
• SAL trajectories:
• Precipitation: 43-47% (0-10 mm), 10-13% (100mm+)
• Dusty air (> 0.30 ODU): Sahara – 20-22%, Non-Sahara – 40-55%
• Caveat: AIRS likely to do better further from rawinsondes station, AIRS results lose little with loss of AMSU.