Determination of Integrated Water Vapor and Liquid Water Contents from the Measurements of Microwave Atmospheric Radiation

We present an overview of the results of our studies in the field of using the radiothermal-detection method for determining the integrated water vapor content in the atmosphere and the integrated liquid water content in the clouds, as well as a general overview of modern achievements in this field. The possibilities of determining the atmospheric integrated water vapor content and the integrated liquid water content of the clouds are shown for particular examples using the ground-based measurements of the microwave atmospheric radiation simultaneously at the frequencies 22.235 and 36.000 GHz (near the water-vapor absorption line). The possibility is shown of detecting the regions of high content of liquid water in an upper overcooled part of the powerful convective clouds and using the microwave measurements for predicting dangerous weather events including thunderstorms. The prospects of using the radiothermal-detection method in meteorology on the basis of the radiophysical complex of Lehtusi Geophysical Observatory are discussed in relation to improving the technology of regional very short-term forecast (with a lead time of 2–12 h) of dangerous phenomena caused by the development of clouds and precipitation.