Estimation of vertically integrated liquid water contents in the atmosphere

Abstract

A 5-year project of "Antarctic Climate Research (ACR)" started in 1987. One of the main projects of the ACR is an observation of clouds and precipitation. Liquid water content and ice water content are important parameters for considering the characteristics of clouds and precipitation. Ice water content in the atmosphere has been calculated from the data of the vertical pointing radar observation. On the other hand, vertically integrated liquid water content can be estimated by the data of microwave radiometers. It is very difficult to estimate reliable values of vertically integrated liquid water content because of the ability of microwave radiometer in the cold regions, some noises on data recording and difficulty of data calibration. As to some case studies at Syowa Station in Antarctica most reliable values of vertically integrated liquid water contents could be estimated. Moreover, there is a possibility of estimation of vertically integrated liquid water contents in cold areas from careful analysis of data of a microwave radiometer.