Moradi Compares Microwave Radiative Transfer Models

A lake surrounded by trees, Greenbelt Lake, reflects the pink, yellow, and purple views of the sunset
Greenbelt Lake, MD. PC: Isaac Moradi

Associate Research Scientist Isaac Moradi recently published a paper in Journal of Geophysical Research – Atmospheres titled “Performance of Radiative Transfer Models in the Microwave Region” alongside co-authors from the NOAA, University of Hamburg, and the U.K. Met Office.

 

In the study, the researchers used radiative transfer models to simulate satellite observations from input atmospheric profiles and surface parameters. They compared three microwave radiative transfer models versus each other as well as satellite measurements. The researchers found that the models were consistent with each other and with observations for microwave temperature sounding channels. However, the models were less consistent with each other and with the observations for the water vapor and window channels. The difference between the models and observations was affected by several factors such as spectral response functions, spectroscopy databases, and emissivity models.

 

Moradi joined Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center (ESSIC), University of Maryland in 2011. His research is focused on microwave remote sensing including, calibration and validation of satellite microwave observations, retrieving geophysical variables from satellite microwave measurements, microwave radiative transfer modelling, assimilation of all-sky microwave observations into NWP models, and Observing System Simulation Experiments (OSSE). He is affiliated with NASA Global Modelling and Assimilation Office (GMAO) and NOAA Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR).

 

To access the paper, click here: “Performance of Radiative Transfer Models in the Microwave Region”.