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The 2-year lidar water vapor database (November 2013 - October 2015) of the Maïdo Observatory (Reunion Island / 21°S,55.5°E) is now processed. The performances of the lidar in providing accurate vertical structures are shown to be good. The ability to measure quantities of a few ppmv in the lower stratosphere is demonstrated (based on Cryogenic Frost point Hygrometer sonde/lidar profiles comparisons) for a 48-hour integration time period, up to 22 km (with a vertical resolution of 1.3 km). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Maïdo high-altitude observatory located in Reunion Island (21°S, 55°E) is equipped with an innovative lidar designed to monitor the water vapor in the whole troposphere up to the lower stratosphere with a Raman system and to monitor, simultaneously, the temperature in the stratosphere and in the mesosphere based on a Rayleigh scattering technique. Several improvements have been performed on the new instrument to optimize the water vapor mixing ratio measurements thanks to the experience of the previous system. The choice of the operational configuration of the system and the calibration methodology were realized during the campaign MALICCA-1 (MAïdo LIdar Calibration CAmpaign) which provided simultaneous measurements of water vapor and ozone in April 2013. The lidar water vapor profiles are calibrated with water vapor columns obtained from a collocated GNSS receiver. By comparing CFH and Vaisala radiosondes and satellites water vapor mixing ratio profiles with the Raman lidar profiles, the performances of the lidar are shown to be good in the troposphere. With a suitable integration time period, the ability of measuring quantities of a few ppmv in the lower stratosphere is demonstrated. This Raman lidar will provide regular measurements to international networks with high vertical resolution profiles of water vapor in order to document various studies and to insure a long-term survey of the troposphere and of the lower stratosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]