Analysis of atmospheric water vapor measurements using a Raman lidar

Abstract

An analysis of atmospheric water vapor profiles measured by a multiple wavelength Raman lidar system often shows a great deal of fine structure. In this paper the scales of this structure are examined with respect to both the temporal variability and the variation with respect to altitude. The authors have observed that the water vapor profiles exhibit structure on the order of the resolution of the lidar (75 m). Using two independent wavelengths this structure was verified. The study of temporal variations of water vapor on a fine scale are more difficult to quantify. In an effort to do this a model was created using minimum square error techniques and the deviations from this model are studied.<>