ERA5 reanalysis for the data interpretation on polarization laser sensing of high-level clouds

Interpreting the results of a high-level clouds (HLCs) lidar study requires a comparison with the vertical profiles of meteorological quantities. There are no regular radiosonde measurements of vertical profiles of meteorological quantities in Tomsk. The nearest aerological stations are several hundred kilometers away from the lidar and perform radiosonde measurements only a few times a day, whereas lidar experiments are performed continuously throughout the day. To estimate meteorological conditions at the HLC altitudes, we propose to use the ERA5 reanalysis. Its reliability was tested by comparing with the data from five aerological stations within a radius of 500 km around Tomsk. A labeled database of the lidar, radiosonde, and ERA5 data (2016–2020) for isobaric levels 1000–50 hPa was created. The temperature reconstruction error over the entire altitude range was characterized by an RMSE of 0.8–2.8 ◦C, bias of 0–0.9, and Corr ~1. The accuracy of the relative vertical profiles (RMSE 25–40%, Bias 10–22%, and Corr <0.7) and specific humidity (RMSE 0.2–1.2 g/kg, Bias ~0 g/kg, and Corr ~0) at the HLC altitudes were unsatisfying. The ERA5 data on wind direction and speed for the HLC altitudes were promising

Verification of ERA5 reanalysis data for the interpretation of lidar investigation of high-level clouds

Interpretation of the data from lidar studies of high-level clouds requires information on the vertical profiles of meteorological quantities. The nearest aerological stations to Tomsk are located at about 250 km away from the city and launch radiosondes only twice a day. The ERA5 reanalysis was considered as a source of vertical profiles, which provides higher spatial and temporal resolution. It is compared with the aerological data, and the possibility of its using was evaluated in this research