Lidar validation of temperature and water vapour satellite mesurements

Both meteorological and climatological applications require the knowledge of water vapor and temperature profile on the global scale. At present monitoring strategies combine satellite data with ground based instrumentation in order to check up the retrievals obtained starting from satellite data measurements. Lidar systems are very important tools for this comparison, providing range resolved measurements with high vertical and temporal resolution. Two lidar systems are presently running at Napoli and Potenza (Italy, 40 degree(s)50'N - 14 degree(s)10'E and 40 degree(s)36'N - 15 degree(s)44'E). These systems are capable of providing vertical profiles of water vapor and temperature. The water vapor measurement is based on the Raman scattering technique, while the temperature measurement is based on the combined Rayleigh- Raman technique. Simultaneous measurements of the water vapor content through the application of both the Raman and D.I.A.L. techniques have been recently performed in Potenza. The simultaneous application of the two techniques reduces the uncertainty affecting the water vapor measurement, resulting in a more accurate reference for water vapor satellite measurements. Measurements carried out in both sites are shown and discussed