MHS Instrument

Measurements and Applications

Atmospheric humidity profiles, cloud cover, cloud liquid, water content, ice boundaries and precipitation data. MHS on NOAA-18 is considered failed following an anomaly on 21 October 2018.

Instrument Summary

Full Name
Microwave Humidity Sounder
Status
Operational
Instrument Agencies
EUMETSAT
Maturity
Instrument Type
Atmospheric temperature and humidity sounders
Geometry
Cross-track scanning
Instrument Technology
Absorption-band MW radiometer/spectrometer
Sampling
Sounding
Data Access
Open Access
Data Format
BUFR

Performance Summary

Resolution
Vertical: 3 - 7 km, Horizontal: 30 - 50 km
[Best Resolution: 30000m]
Swath
1650 km
[Max Swath: 1650 km]
Accuracy
Cloud water profile: 10 g/m2, specific humidity profile: 10 - 20%
Waveband
Microwave: 89 GHz, 166 GHz and 3 channels near 183 GHz
MW (~0.1 cm - ~100 cm)

Instrument Missions

NOAA-18 - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - 18 (2005 - 2025)
Metop-A - Meteorological Operational Polar Satellite - A (2006 - 2021)
NOAA-19 - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - 19 (2009 - 2025)
Metop-B - Meteorological Operational Polar Satellite - B (2012 - 2027)
Metop-C - Meteorological Operational Polar Satellite - C (2018 - 2027)

Instrument Measurements

CategoryParameter
Atmospheric Humidity FieldsAtmospheric specific humidity (LT, HT, LS, TC)
Cloud particle properties and profileCloud liquid water (column/profile)
Precipitation Profile (liquid or solid)
Cloud type, amount and cloud top temperatureCloud type
Liquid water and precipitation ratePrecipitation intensity at the surface (liquid or solid)
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