Validation of LITE-derived Saharan dust layer characteristics

Lidar observations from the Lidar-in Space Technology Experiment (LITE), in conjunction with European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF) and Meteosat data were used to examine the Saharan dust characteristics including its structure, evolution and optical depths over Western Africa and E. Atlantic regions. The lidar backscatter profiles reveal a complex structure of the dust layer but, in general, show a good agreement with the features depicted in the conceptual model of the dust plume. Optical depths of the Saharan dust layer derived from two independent methods were compared with those obtained from the Meteosat data. Although the LITE-derived optical depth patterns from the two methods are in good agreement with each other, they show some differences with those derived from the satellite data, particularly in the inference of heavy dust concentration over the E. Atlantic.