University of Quebec in Montreal

Published purpose

Monitoring the formation of Thin Ice Clouds and light precipitation in the coldest atmospheric regions of the globe has become a prime scientific objective. New far Infra-Red data are required for improving medium range weather forecasting during winter, essential for Canadians. To meet this requirement, a Far IR Radiometer (FIRR) instrument is under development at the National Optics Institute. The objective of this project is to validate the FIRR instrument by testing, refining and gathering key data to design retrieval algorithms and scientific processes, in close collaboration with Environment Canada. Two FIRR validation campaigns are planned: a one-month aircraft campaign over the Canadian Arctic (April 2015) and a 4-month ground-based campaign at Eureka, NU. (Nov'14 to Mar'15).