Daily Binned Relative Humidity Over Ice From Aura MLS Satellite

Daily binned relative humidity with respect to ice (RHI) data derived from radiances measured by the 118 and 190 GHz radiometers on the EOS Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS). Spatial coverage is near-global (-82 to +82 degrees latitude) at 4 by 5-degree resolution, with a vertical range from 316 to 0.0215 hPa. The dataset is produced by the GES DISC and uses data version 4.2.

Use Cases

• Analyzing lat-lon map vs pressure group data to map global RHI distribution at specific pressure levels.
• Using lat vs pressure zonal mean group to study meridional (north-south) gradients in humidity across seasons.
• Investigating vortex average vs theta group data to examine polar stratospheric humidity within the winter vortex.
• Applying the std dev and rms fields within each data group to assess measurement uncertainty and variability.
• Correlating equivalent lat vs theta zonal mean data with other atmospheric variables to diagnose transport processes.

Strengths

• Near-global spatial coverage from -82 to +82 degrees latitude.
• Data provided on multiple vertical grids (pressure and theta) with vertical resolution between 3 and 6 km.
• Each data group includes statistical measures: average, min, max, std dev, and rms.

Limitations

• Spatial resolution is coarse at 4 degrees latitude by 5 degrees longitude.
• Recommended useful vertical range is limited (316 to 0.0215 hPa), excluding lower atmospheric levels.
• Data quality and proper usage require consulting specific documentation chapters, adding complexity.

Provenance

Source

EOS Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) instrument, processed and archived by GES DISC.

Collection Method

Derived from radiances measured by the 118 and 190 GHz radiometers, binned daily on assorted vertical grids.

Time Range

Daily binned data; specific date range is unknown from input.

Freshness

null

Geography

Near-global, -82 to +82 degrees latitude.