Raman lidar measurements of water vapor and aerosol/clouds during the FIRE/SPECTRE field campaign

Water vapor is one of the most important constituents of the earth's atmosphere. It has a major impact on both atmospheric dynamics and radiative transfer. From a dynamic standpoint, the distribution of water vapor with height determines convective stability which is the major indicator of destructive storm development. Also, water vapor stored in the planetary boundary layer acts as the fuel to intensify severe weather. In regards to radiative transfer, water vapor is the most active IR molecule in the atmosphere. It is more effective in absorbing and emitting IR radiation than either carbon dioxide or methane, and thus plays an important role in global change. The main objective of FIRE (First ISSCCP (International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project) Regional Experiment) was to study the development and radiative characteristics of cirrus clouds. The SPECTRE (Spectral Radiation Experiment) project was designed to acquire the necessary atmospheric observations to compare radiative measurements with radiative transfer theory, with special emphasis on understanding the water vapor spectral continuum. The FIRE/SPECTRE field campaign was conducted during Nov. - Dec. 1991 in Coffeyville, Kansas. A complete understanding of water vapor, its distribution with height, and its temporal variation was important for both experiments.