Quasi-Vertical Profiles—A New Way to Look at Polarimetric Radar Data

A novel methodology is introduced for processing and presenting polarimetric data collected by weather surveillance radars. It involves azimuthal averaging of radar reflectivity Z, differential reflectivity Z sub(DR), cross-correlation coefficient rho sub(hv), and differential phase Phi sub(DP) at h...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of atmospheric and oceanic technology 2016-03, Vol.33 (3), p.551-562
Main Authors: Ryzhkov, Alexander, Zhang, Pengfei, Reeves, Heather, Kumjian, Matthew, Tschallener, Timo, Trömel, Silke, Simmer, Clemens
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aggregation
Antennas
Clouds
Correlation coefficient
Correlation coefficients
Cross correlation
Dual polarization radar
Elevation
Estimates
Marine
Methodology
Methods
Microwave imagery
Polarimetric radar
Polarimetry
Precipitation
Profilers
Radar
Radar data
Radar polarimetry
Radar reflectivity
Radiometers
Reflectance
Remote sensors
Snow
Standard deviation
Superhigh frequencies
Surveillance
Variables
Vertical profiles
Weather
Work platforms
X-band
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Summary:A novel methodology is introduced for processing and presenting polarimetric data collected by weather surveillance radars. It involves azimuthal averaging of radar reflectivity Z, differential reflectivity Z sub(DR), cross-correlation coefficient rho sub(hv), and differential phase Phi sub(DP) at high antenna elevation, and presenting resulting quasi-vertical profiles (QVPs) in a height-versus-time format. Multiple examples of QVPs retrieved from the data collected by S-, C-, and X-band dual-polarization radars at elevations ranging from 6.4 degree to 28 degree illustrate advantages of the QVP technique. The benefits include an ability to examine the temporal evolution of microphysical processes governing precipitation production and to compare polarimetric data obtained from the scanning surveillance weather radars with observations made by vertically looking remote sensors, such as wind profilers, lidars, radiometers, cloud radars, and radars operating on spaceborne and airborne platforms. Continuous monitoring of the melting layer and the layer of dendritic growth with high vertical resolution, and the possible opportunity to discriminate between the processes of snow aggregation and riming, constitute other potential benefits of the suggested methodology.
ISSN:0739-0572
1520-0426
DOI:10.1175/JTECH-D-15-0020.1