Comparison of Satellite Products on Total Atmospheric Water Vapor Content over the Arctic Sea Ice

The accuracy of two satellite products on the atmospheric total water vapor content (WVC) over the Arctic sea ice is estimated with Era-Interim reanalysis WVC. Daily WVC product, based on the NOAA Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit - B (AMSU-B) measurements and daily and monthly WVC products, created from MODIS near infrared data, are considered. AMSU-B based WVC accuracy is estimated for the 4 months of 2008. MODIS based WVC accuracy is estimated for the whole 2008. We found, that in summer months, featured by comparatively wet atmosphere even over the sea ice, both products are distinguished by very low accuracies and cannot be used in any research. During the whole year notable underestimation of Era-Interim WVC by MODIS product and overestimation by AMSU-B product are established.