These instruments provide global information about vertical temperature and moisture profiles and cloud amount and heights, as well as information used to derive total outgoing longwave radiation, precipitation estimates, and vertically integrated ozone. The ability to analyze a multiyear dataset using a system designed to account for systematic errors, intersatellite differences, and instrumental drifts provides important information with regard to the natural variability of the atmosphere. For example, our research has shown that upper level moisture is correlated in space and time with precipitation amounts, as shown in the figures below.
Area mean annual mean values are indicated on the figure.
Area mean annual mean values are indicated on the figure.