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Differential Reflectivity Calibration for Operational Radars

Differential Reflectivity Calibration for Operational Radars The conventional technique for calibrating Z dr using natural scatterers is based on vertical-looking observations. In some operational weather radar, this method is not applicable because of mechanical constraints that prohibit vertical measurement or choices in the scanning strategies. A technique for calibrating Z dr based on properties of rain returns is proposed and analyzed. The technique is based on an examination of properties of differential reflectivity measurements collected at increasing elevations. Differential reflectivity observed in rain decreases with increasing elevation due to the increasing view angle. Using the hypothesis of uniform microphysical profiles below the bright band, deviations of the profile of differential reflectivity with elevation with respect to the theoretical profile can be used to detect and quantify the presence of a bias on differential reflectivity. To apply this concept in the presence of a nonuniform microphysical profile, the contribution of vertical changes in microphysics to Z dr variation in height is also accounted for. An error parameter associated with the estimated Z dr bias can be used as a quality indicator of the bias estimation; it allows definition of a criterion based on a threshold of root-mean-square error that permits acceptance or rejection of a Z dr bias estimation obtained with the proposed method. The technique is demonstrated using data collected by an operational weather radar at Arpa Piemonte (Italy) and evaluated using independent disdrometer measurement. Results show that under certain conditions discussed in the paper, this method can provide Z dr calibration within an accuracy of 0.1 dB. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology American Meteorological Society

Differential Reflectivity Calibration for Operational Radars

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References (20)

Publisher
American Meteorological Society
Copyright
Copyright © 2007 American Meteorological Society
ISSN
1520-0426
DOI
10.1175/2008JTECHA1037.1
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

The conventional technique for calibrating Z dr using natural scatterers is based on vertical-looking observations. In some operational weather radar, this method is not applicable because of mechanical constraints that prohibit vertical measurement or choices in the scanning strategies. A technique for calibrating Z dr based on properties of rain returns is proposed and analyzed. The technique is based on an examination of properties of differential reflectivity measurements collected at increasing elevations. Differential reflectivity observed in rain decreases with increasing elevation due to the increasing view angle. Using the hypothesis of uniform microphysical profiles below the bright band, deviations of the profile of differential reflectivity with elevation with respect to the theoretical profile can be used to detect and quantify the presence of a bias on differential reflectivity. To apply this concept in the presence of a nonuniform microphysical profile, the contribution of vertical changes in microphysics to Z dr variation in height is also accounted for. An error parameter associated with the estimated Z dr bias can be used as a quality indicator of the bias estimation; it allows definition of a criterion based on a threshold of root-mean-square error that permits acceptance or rejection of a Z dr bias estimation obtained with the proposed method. The technique is demonstrated using data collected by an operational weather radar at Arpa Piemonte (Italy) and evaluated using independent disdrometer measurement. Results show that under certain conditions discussed in the paper, this method can provide Z dr calibration within an accuracy of 0.1 dB.

Journal

Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic TechnologyAmerican Meteorological Society

Published: Jun 13, 2007

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