A quasi-global analysis of the mean relative humidity of the upper troposphere

Abstract

The meteorological satellite Tiros III measured the upwelling infrared radiation in the spectral intervals from 5.8 to 6.8 microns and from 8 to 13 microns simultaneously. According to a method developed by Holier (1962) and Raschke (1965) the relative humidity of the upper troposphere and surface temperature of the ground and/or of clouds were determined. Results for one day (July 12, 1961) are presented in a quasi-global distribution. The mean relative humidity appears to be lower than 10 % in the subtropical anticyclones on both hemispheres, while it is higher than 60 % in the cloudy regions of the tropics and at higher latitudes.