Abstract

Water vapor is the most important tropospheric greenhouse gas, but current measuring techniques for moisture are still limited by either vertical resolution, their ability to penetrate clouds, or their spatial coverage. In this study we compare Relative Humidity (RH) profiles derived from GPS Rad... Show moreWater vapor is the most important tropospheric greenhouse gas, but current measuring techniques for moisture are still limited by either vertical resolution, their ability to penetrate clouds, or their spatial coverage. In this study we compare Relative Humidity (RH) profiles derived from GPS Radio Occulation (RO) measurements with aircraft profile measurements in the Tropical West Pacific (TWP). The generally moist region of the TWP hosts lower and mid tropospheric layers of extremely dry air, which play a major role in tropical climate through their strong radiative impact. Show less