Performance of WVSS-II hygrometers on the FAAM research aircraft
We compare the performance of five hygrometers fitted to the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurement's (FAAM) BAe 146-301 research aircraft using data from approximately 100 flights executed over the course of 2 years under a wide range of conditions. Bulk comparison of cloud free data sh...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2015-03-01
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| Series: | Atmospheric Measurement Techniques |
| Online Access: | http://www.atmos-meas-tech.net/8/1617/2015/amt-8-1617-2015.pdf |
| Summary: | We compare the performance of five hygrometers fitted to the Facility for
Airborne Atmospheric Measurement's (FAAM) BAe 146-301 research aircraft using
data from approximately 100 flights executed over the course of 2
years under a wide range of conditions. Bulk comparison of cloud free data
show good agreement between chilled mirror hygrometers and a WVSS-II fed from
a modified Rosemount inlet, but that a WVSS-II fed from the standard flush
inlet appears to over-read compared to the other instruments, except at
higher humidities.
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Statistical assessment of hygrometer performance in cloudy conditions is
problematic due to the variable nature of clouds, so a number of case studies
are used instead to investigate the performance of the hygrometers in sub-optimal conditions. It is found that the flush inlet is not susceptible to
either liquid or solid water but that the Rosemount inlet has a significant
susceptibility to liquid water and may also be susceptible to ice. In all
conditions the WVSS-II responds much more rapidly than the chilled mirror
devices, with the flush inlet-fed WVSS-II being more rapid than that
connected to the Rosemount. |
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| ISSN: | 1867-1381 1867-8548 |