Abstract

A nonlinear iterative relaxation moisture retrieval technique employing a first guess profile (FGP) derived by a statistical method has been developed for the DMSP-SSH/2 sounder. Simulation studies indicate that the relaxation technique can significantly improve the accuracy of the FGP's in the 300-700 mb region. Levels near the ground showed little or no improvement over the statistical technique. This behavior is not unexpected, since none of the eight water vapor sounding channels are sensitive to changes near the surface while there is a high degree of overlap in their sensitivity in the middle atmosphere.

© 1983 Optical Society of America