Water Vapor, Cloud and Aerosol Properties on the Tibetan Plateau Using Multi-Lidar Measurements

Abstract

The 3rd Tibetan Plateau atmospheric expedition experiment campaign were operated in the Tibetan Plateau during July and August 2014 by utilizing the Water vapor, Cloud and Aerosol Lidar (WVCAL), Coherent Doppler Wind Lidar and ceilometer VAISALA CL31. The observation was carried out in Nagqu area (31.5°N, 92.05°E), which is 4508 meters above the mean sea level. Water vapor mixing ratio, cloud height, vertical wind speed and vertical water vapor flux was measured by these lidars. The inversion methods of data products of lidars are described in details in this paper. Furthermore, the clouds heights measured by lidar and ceilometer were compared to verify the performance of the lidar. Finally, the case studies of water vapor mixing ratio, water vapor flux and cloud height and statistics were provided.