Validation of Temperature Profile Environmental Data Records (EDRs) from the Cross-Track Infrared Microwave Sounding Suite (CrIMSS) Using COSMIC Dry Temperature Profiles

This paper presents a methodology for validating the measurements from the Cross-Track Infrared Microwave Sounding Suite (CrIMSS) using combined observations from the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) and the hyperspectral infrared Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) on the Suomi NPP satellite, the first satellite of the newly created U.S. JPSS program. The atmospheric vertical temperature profiles (AVTPs) from the CrIMSS operational product are compared to temperature profiles obtained from radio occultation (RO) from the COSMIC GPS RO network. In particular, bias, RMS, and standard deviation profile statistics will be presented for global and 30 degree latitude zones for selected time periods in 2012. Similar validation statistics using AIRS and COSMIC profile matchups will be created for the same space and time periods. The matchup methodology was used to evaluate the dependence of the ray path averaging on the statistical results by comparing the closest single AIRS profile, to the average along a ray path, and to the average of a circle of radius equal to the horizontal ray path length through the atmosphere. The optimal method of comparison between GPS RO and IR soundings from that Suomi NPP satellite will be presented. A comparison will be made of CrIMSS EDR performance relative to NASA AIRS L2 product in order to assess the CrIMSS product accuracy. This evaluation is in support of the NOAA NESDIS calibration/validation activities for the checkout of the Suomi NPP satellite.