Atmospheric specific humidity (at surface) Measurements Made by Earth Observation Satellites

CEOS EO HANDBOOK – MEASUREMENT INSTRUMENTS

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Atmospheric Humidity Fields >
Atmospheric specific humidity (at surface)

Measurement Definition*: In a system of moist air, the ratio of the mass of water vapor to the total mass of the system. Conventionally measured at 2 m height [Unit of measurement- g/kg]

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ECV Water Vapour (surface)

Instrument	Status/ Accuracy	Instrument Description	Measurement Technology	Timeline
TEMPEST Temporal Experiment for Storms and Tropical Systems	Operational	Hosted on the ISS, TEMPEST measures atmospheric humidity	Multi-purpose imaging MW radiometer

* Description adapted from WMO.