authority: gcos
slug: upper-air-water-vapour
name: Upper-air Water Vapour
domain: atmosphere
subdomain: upper-air
authority_id: gcos:upper-air-water-vapour
external_ids:
  nvs_uri: null
  cf_standard_name: specific_humidity
  iadopt_concepts:
    property: humidity
    entity: air
canonical_units: "1"
gcos_requirement_tier:
  threshold: null
  breakthrough: null
  goal: null
description: |
  Vertical profile of water vapour in the troposphere and stratosphere from
  radiosondes, hyperspectral IR sounders and microwave/limb instruments.
  Central to radiative feedbacks and stratospheric chemistry.
theme: weather
demos: []
status: documented
sources:
  - https://gcos.wmo.int/site/global-climate-observing-system-gcos/essential-climate-variables/water-vapour