VERTAS – Advancing High Vertical and Temporal Resolution of Water Vapor and Temperature in the Troposphere and Lower Stratosphere in Southeast of the Iberian Peninsula
- Reference: CNS2023-145435
- Funding agency: Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades
- Principal Investigator: Francisco Navas Guzmán (University of Granada)
- Project period: 01/04/2024 – 30/06/2026
- Total budget: 194,810.00 €
Project description
The VERTAS project aims to advance the understanding of water vapor and temperature dynamics in the troposphere and lower stratosphere, with particular emphasis on the Upper Troposphere–Lower Stratosphere (UTLS) region over the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula. Water vapor and temperature play a fundamental role in regulating the Earth’s energy balance, atmospheric stability, cloud formation, and precipitation processes, yet their vertical distribution remains insufficiently characterized at high temporal and spatial resolution.
Simultaneous, high-resolution measurements of water vapor and temperature are essential for improving radiative transfer calculations, assessing atmospheric stability and buoyancy, and better representing convective processes. However, existing observational datasets remain limited, especially in the UTLS region, due to the spatial and temporal constraints of current measurement techniques such as radiosondes and satellite observations.
To address these limitations, VERTAS leverages the deployment of the state-of-the-art Raman lidar ALVICE (Atmospheric Laboratory for Validation, Interagency Collaboration and Education), originally developed at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. The instrument will be installed at the Andalusian Global ObseRvatory of the Atmosphere (AGORA) as part of a long-term international collaboration, significantly enhancing the site’s capability to provide highly accurate and vertically resolved profiles of water vapor and temperature.
During the two-year duration of the project, VERTAS will focus on achieving the full operational status of the ALVICE system, performing comprehensive validation activities, assimilating lidar observations, and integrating AGORA into leading international observational networks, including NDACC. The planned deployment of ALVICE for an initial period of five years will ensure the long-term sustainability and scientific impact of the infrastructure.
Expected impact
VERTAS will establish AGORA as a reference site for atmospheric thermodynamic profiling in the Iberian Peninsula, strengthening Spain’s contribution to international atmospheric monitoring efforts. The project will enhance the University of Granada’s role as the only university-based NDACC station in Spain and will provide advanced training opportunities for early-career researchers in data-intensive atmospheric sciences.
By improving the characterization of water vapor and temperature variability in a climate-sensitive region, VERTAS directly contributes to national and international efforts to better understand climate change processes. The project aligns with the Spanish Strategy for Science, Technology, and Innovation, particularly within the “Climate Action” challenge, and represents a significant step forward in advancing atmospheric research capabilities in Spain.
Figure 1. Water Vapor Mixing Ratio as measured by the ALVICE Raman lidar during PECAN campaign