Aura MLS Monthly Relative Humidity With Respect To Ice On Assorted Grids

ML3MBRHI Version 5.1 provides monthly binned relative humidity with respect to ice (RHI) derived from radiances measured by the 118 and 190 GHz radiometers on the EOS Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS). Data offers near-global spatial coverage from -82 to +82 degrees latitude at a resolution of 4 degrees latitude by 5 degrees longitude. The product is archived and distributed by the NASA GES DISC.

Use Cases

• Analyzing lat-lon map vs pressure group data to study the spatial distribution of upper atmospheric humidity.
• Using lat vs pressure zonal mean data to examine meridional gradients and seasonal cycles of relative humidity with respect to ice.
• Investigating vortex average vs theta data to understand polar stratospheric humidity conditions and their variability.
• Applying statistical fields (average, min, max, std dev, rms) within each data group to quantify uncertainty and variability in monthly RHI estimates.

Strengths

• Near-global spatial coverage from -82 to +82 degrees latitude.
• Data provided on multiple vertical grids (pressure and theta) with a useful vertical range from 316 to 0.0215 hPa.
• Each data group includes statistical measures: average, minimum, maximum, standard deviation, and RMS.

Limitations

• Specific row count, temporal coverage, and update frequency are not provided in the description.
• Data usefulness is constrained to a recommended vertical range and resolution, which may limit analysis for certain atmospheric layers.

Provenance

Source

NASA 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 into monthly averages on assorted vertical grids.

Time Range

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Freshness

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Geography

Near-global coverage from -82 to +82 degrees latitude at 4° lat by 5° lon resolution.