GPS radio occultation observations of atmospheric heating associated with dust storm

Abstract

The potential ability of GPS radio occultation (GPSRO) measurements to capture the atmospheric heating during dust storm event is highlighted in the present work. COSMIC 1-dvar temperature profiles were used to study the atmospheric heating mechanism associated with the dust storm that occurred in Arabian Peninsula during 2-3 February 2008. GPSRO temperature profiles could capture the temperature inversion layer in the troposphere during the active dust storms period. Though the sensitivity of GPSRO data in the lower troposphere is limited, it could show the impact of dust storm in modulating the temperature structure of the atmosphere. The magnitude of the temperature inversion observed from the temperature profiles at different locations in different days will be helpful to understand the amount of heat trapped in the troposphere. The results are also validated with the collocated radiosonde temperature profile available with GPSRO temperature data.