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