Water vapor (WV) is the most variable greenhouse gas in the troposphere, therefore investigation of its spatio-temporal distribution and motion is of great importance in meteorology and climatology studies. Here, we suggest a new strategy for augmenting integrated water vapor (IWV) estimations using both remote sensing satellites and global positioning system (GPS) tropospheric path delays. The strategy is based first on the ability to estimate METEOSAT-10 7.3 µm WV pixel values by extracting the mathematical dependency between the IWV amount calculated from GPS zenith wet delays (ZWD) and the METEOSAT-10 data. We then use the surface temperature differences between ground station measurements and METEOSAT-10 10.8 µm infra-red (IR) channel to identify spatio-temporal cloud distribution structures. As a last stage, the identified cloud features are mapped into the GPS-IWV distribution map when preforming the interpolation between adjusted GPS station inside the network. The suggested approach improves the accuracy of estimated regional IWV maps, in comparison with radiosonde data, thus enables to obtain the total water amount at the atmosphere, both in the form of clouds and vapor. Mean and root mean square (RMS) difference between the GPS-IWV estimations, using the spatio-temporal clouds distribution, and radiosonde data are reduced from 1.77 and 2.81 kg/m2 to 0.74 and 2.04 kg/m2, respectively. Furthermore, by improving the accuracy of the estimated regional IWV maps distribution it is possible to increase the accuracy of regional Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) platforms.

Abstract. Using GPS satellites signals, we can study different processes and coupling mechanisms that can help us understand the physical conditions in the lower atmosphere, which might lead or act as proxies for severe weather events such as extreme storms and flooding. GPS signals received by ground stations are multi-purpose and can also provide estimates of tropospheric zenith delays, which can be converted into accurate integrated water vapor (IWV) observations using collocated pressure and temperature measurements on the ground. Here, we present for the first time the use of Israel's dense regional GPS network for extracting tropospheric zenith path delays combined with near-realtime Meteosat-10 water vapor (WV) and surface temperature pixel intensity values (7.3 and 10.8 µm channels, respectively) in order to assess whether it is possible to obtain absolute IWV (kg m −2 ) distribution. The results show good agreement between the absolute values obtained from our triangulation strategy based solely on GPS zenith total delays (ZTD) and Meteosat-10 surface temperature data compared with available radiosonde IWV absolute values. The presented strategy can provide high temporal and special IWV resolution, which is needed as part of the accurate and comprehensive observation data integrated in modern data assimilation systems and is required for increasing the accuracy of regional numerical weather prediction systems forecast.

Improving the accuracy of numerical weather predictions remains a challenging task. The absence of sufficiently detailed temporal and spatial real-time in-situ measurements poses a critical gap regarding the proper representation of atmospheric moisture fields, such as water vapor distribution, which are highly imperative for improving weather predictions accuracy. The estimated amount of the total vertically integrated water vapor (IWV), which can be derived from the attenuation of global positioning systems (GPS) signals, can support various atmospheric models at global, regional, and local scales. Currently, several existing atmospheric numerical models can estimate the IWV amount. However, they do not provide accurate results compared with in-situ measurements such as radiosondes. Here, we present a new strategy for assimilating 2D IWV regional maps estimations, derived from combined GPS and METEOSAT satellite imagery data, to improve Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model predictions accuracy in Israel and surrounding areas. As opposed to previous studies, which used point measurements of IWV in the assimilation procedure, in the current study, we assimilate quasi-continuous 2D GPS IWV maps, combined with METEOSAT-11 data. Using the suggested methodology, our results indicate an improvement of more than 30% in the root mean square error (RMSE) of WRF forecasts after assimilation relative standalone WRF, when both are compared to the radiosonde measured data near the Mediterranean coast. Moreover, significant improvements along the Jordan Rift Valley and Dead Sea Valley areas are obtained when compared to 2D IWV regional maps estimations. Improvements in these areas suggest the impact of the assimilated high resolution IWV maps, with initialization times which coincide with the Mediterranean Sea Breeze propagation from the coastline to highland stations, as the distance to the Mediterranean Sea shore, along with other features, dictates its arrival times.

Abstract. Using GPS satellites signals, we can study different processes and coupling mechanisms that can help us understand the physical conditions in the upper atmosphere, which might lead or act as proxies for severe weather events such as extreme storms and flooding. GPS signals received by ground stations are multi-purpose and can also provide estimates of tropospheric zenith delays, which can be converted into mm-accuracy Precipitable Water Vapor (PWV) using collocated pressure and temperature measurements on the ground. Here, we present the use of a dense regional GPS networks for extracting tropospheric zenith path delays combined with near Real Time (RT) METEOSAT-10 Water Vapor (WV) and surface temperature pixel intensity values (7.3 and 12.1 μm channels, respectively) in order to obtain absolute IWV (kg/m2) or PWV (mm) distribution. The results show good agreement between the absolute values obtained from our triangulation strategy based solely on GPS Zenith Total Delays (ZTD) and METEOSAT-10 surface temperature data compared with available radiosonde Precipitable IWV/PWV absolute values. The presented strategy can provide unprecedented temporal and special IWV/PWV distribution, which is needed as part of the accurate and comprehensive initial conditions provided by upper-air observation systems at temporal and spatial resolutions consistent with the models assimilating them.

<p>Improving the accuracy of numerical weather predictions still poses a challenging task. The lack of sufficiently detailed spatio-temporal real-time in-situ measurements constitutes a crucial gap concerning the adequate representation of atmospheric moisture fields, such as water vapor, which are critical for improving weather predictions accuracy. Information on total vertically integrated water vapor (IWV), extracted from global positioning systems (GPS) tropospheric path delays, can enhance various atmospheric models at global, regional, and local scales. Currently, numerous existing atmospheric numerical models predict IWV. Nevertheless, they do not provide accurate estimations compared with in-situ measurements such as radiosondes. In this work, we demonstrate a novel approach for assimilating 2D IWV regional maps estimations, extracted from GPS tropospheric path delays combined with METEOSAT satellite imagery data, to enhance Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model predictions accuracy above the Eastern Mediterranean area. Unlike previous studies, which assimilated IWV point measurements, here, we assimilate quasi-continuous 2D GPS IWV maps, augmented by METEOSAT-11 data, over Israel and its surroundings. Using the suggested approach, our results show a decrease of more than 30% in the root mean square error (RMSE) of WRF forecasts after assimilation relative to the standalone WRF when verified against in-situ radiosonde measurements near the Mediterranean coast. Furthermore, substantial improvements along the Jordan Rift Valley and Dead Sea Valley areas are achieved when compared to 2D IWV regional maps. Improvements in these areas suggest the importance of the assimilated high resolution IWV maps, in particular when assimilation and initialization times coincide with the Mediterranean Sea Breeze propagation from the coastline to highland stations.</p>