Earth System Research Laboratory Ozone Water Vapor Group Water Vapor Flight Measurements
ESRL GMD OZWV Water Vapor Flights
The Ozone and Water Vapor Group is part of NOAA's Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL) in Boulder, CO. The Ozone Water Vapor Group conducts research on the nature and causes of the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer and the role of stratospheric and tropospheric ozone and water vapor in forcing climate change and in modifying the chemical cleaning capacity of the atmosphere. This is accomplished through long-term observations and intensive field programs that measure ozone and water vapor levels in the upper troposphere and stratosphere. The Reference Network used by the Ozone and Water Vapor Group is part of NOAA's Earth System Research Laboratory in Boulder, CO. The measurement programs include Total Column Ozone Measurements (Dobson Ozone), Surface Ozone Measurements, Ozonesonde Measurements using balloons, and Water Vapor measurements using balloons.
Since 1980, the Ozone and Water Vapor group has made in situ measurements of atmospheric water vapor mixing ratios (mole fractions) from the lower free troposphere (~2 km) up to the middle stratosphere (~28 km). These measurements are made using a balloon-borne payload including a NOAA frost point hygrometer, an electrochemical concentration cell, ozonesonde, and a radiosonde to measure temperature, pressure, and payload location via GPS. The payloads are built and calibrated in the laboratory in Boulder, CO. These hygrometers are flown monthly from Boulder to Hilo, Hawaii and Lauder, New Zealand. The primary research focus is the long-term monitoring of upper tropospheric and lower stratospheric water vapor and the processes that control its abundance in the atmosphere. Water vapor is a natural and important component of the Earth's atmosphere. The distribution of water vapor influences physical and chemical properties of the atmosphere (weather, clouds, precipitation, radiation balance, convective uplift, lightning generation, and ozone chemistry) as well as its effects on the Earth's energy budget. Variations in the amounts of water vapor in the atmosphere are natural and normal, but changes in its vertical distribution may be indicative of changes in the Earth's climate which is of great interest.
Since 1980, the Ozone and Water Vapor group has made in situ measurements of atmospheric water vapor mixing ratios (mole fractions) from the lower free troposphere (~2 km) up to the middle stratosphere (~28 km). These measurements are made using a balloon-borne payload including a NOAA frost point hygrometer, an electrochemical concentration cell, ozonesonde, and a radiosonde to measure temperature, pressure, and payload location via GPS. The payloads are built and calibrated in the laboratory in Boulder, CO. These hygrometers are flown monthly from Boulder to Hilo, Hawaii and Lauder, New Zealand. The primary research focus is the long-term monitoring of upper tropospheric and lower stratospheric water vapor and the processes that control its abundance in the atmosphere. Water vapor is a natural and important component of the Earth's atmosphere. The distribution of water vapor influences physical and chemical properties of the atmosphere (weather, clouds, precipitation, radiation balance, convective uplift, lightning generation, and ozone chemistry) as well as its effects on the Earth's energy budget. Variations in the amounts of water vapor in the atmosphere are natural and normal, but changes in its vertical distribution may be indicative of changes in the Earth's climate which is of great interest.
Dataset Citation
- Cite as: Hurst, Dale; Jordan, Allen; Hall, Emrys; and NOAA ESRL (2018): Earth System Research Laboratory Ozone Water Vapor Group Water Vapor Flight Measurements, Version 1. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V57M066N [access date].
Dataset Identifiers
- doi:10.7289/V57M066N
- NCEI DSI 3267_01
- gov.noaa.ncdc:C01564
ISO 19115-2 Metadata
gov.noaa.ncdc:C01564
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Ordering Instructions | Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions. |
Distributor |
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov |
Dataset Point of Contact | Jordan, Allen Software/Electrical Engineer DOC/NOAA/ESRL/GMD > Global Monitoring Division, Earth System Research Laboratory, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce (303) 497-4781 allen.jordan@noaa.gov |
Dataset Point of Contact | McClure-Begley, Audra Associate Scientist DOC/NOAA/ESRL/GMD > Global Monitoring Division, Earth System Research Laboratory, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce (303) 497-6832 audra.mcclure@noaa.gov |
Time Period | 1980-04-14 to Present |
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates |
West: -180.0
East: 180.0
South: -90.0
North: 90.0
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Edition | 1 |
Data Presentation Form | Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns |
Dataset Progress Status | Ongoing - data is continually being updated |
Data Update Frequency | Monthly |
Purpose | The Ozone and Water Vapor Group conducts research on the nature and causes of the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer and the role of stratospheric and tropospheric ozone and water vapor in forcing climate change and in modifying the chemical cleansing capacity of the atmosphere. This data will be used by researchers with a similar mission. |
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Lineage Statement | Over 30 years of records of balloon frost point hygrometer launches initiating at Boulder CO. The data originated here at NOAA ESRL, starting with strip chart recordings of sondes in the late 60s. |
Processing Environment | Windows, using in-house post-processing software written in C# (SkySonde). |
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Last Modified: 2023-06-23
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov