Ice cloud microphysical property retrieval using airborne two-frequency radars

Zhjen Wang; Gerald M. Heymsfield; Lihua Li; Andrew J. Heymsfield

doi:10.1117/12.578793

Ice cloud microphysical property retrieval using airborne two-frequency radars

Zhjen Wang, Gerald M. Heymsfield, Lihua Li, Andrew J. Heymsfield

Mesoscale & Microscale Meteorology Lab

Research output: Contribution to journal › Conference article › peer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

An algorithm to retrieve the optically thick ice cloud microphysical property profiles is developed by using the GSFC 9.6 GHz ER-2 Doppler Radar (EDOP) and the 94 GHz Cloud Radar System (CRS) measurements aboard the high-altitude ER-2 aircraft. In situ size distribution and total water content data from the CRYSTAL-FACE field campaign are used for algorithm development. To reduce uncertainty in calculated radar reflectivity factors (Z _e) at these wavelengths, coincident radar measurements and size distribution data are used to guide the selection of mass-length relationship and to deal with the density and non-spherical effects of ice crystals on Z _e. The algorithm is able to retrieve microphysical property profiles of optically thick ice clouds, such as, deep convective and anvil clouds, which are very challenge for single frequency radar and lidar. An example of retrieved microphysical properties of a deep convective cloud is presented.

Original language	English
Article number	07
Pages (from-to)	48-56
Number of pages	9
Journal	Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume	5654
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1117/12.578793
State	Published - 2004
Event	Microwave Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere and Environment IV - Honolulu, HI, United States Duration: Nov 9 2004 → Nov 11 2004

Keywords

Microphysical properties
Optically thick ice clouds
Two-frequency radars

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10.1117/12.578793

Cite this

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title = "Ice cloud microphysical property retrieval using airborne two-frequency radars",

abstract = "An algorithm to retrieve the optically thick ice cloud microphysical property profiles is developed by using the GSFC 9.6 GHz ER-2 Doppler Radar (EDOP) and the 94 GHz Cloud Radar System (CRS) measurements aboard the high-altitude ER-2 aircraft. In situ size distribution and total water content data from the CRYSTAL-FACE field campaign are used for algorithm development. To reduce uncertainty in calculated radar reflectivity factors (Z e) at these wavelengths, coincident radar measurements and size distribution data are used to guide the selection of mass-length relationship and to deal with the density and non-spherical effects of ice crystals on Z e. The algorithm is able to retrieve microphysical property profiles of optically thick ice clouds, such as, deep convective and anvil clouds, which are very challenge for single frequency radar and lidar. An example of retrieved microphysical properties of a deep convective cloud is presented.",

keywords = "Microphysical properties, Optically thick ice clouds, Two-frequency radars",

author = "Zhjen Wang and Heymsfield, \{Gerald M.\} and Lihua Li and Heymsfield, \{Andrew J.\}",

year = "2004",

doi = "10.1117/12.578793",

language = "English",

volume = "5654",

pages = "48--56",

journal = "Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering",

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publisher = "SPIE",

note = "Microwave Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere and Environment IV ; Conference date: 09-11-2004 Through 11-11-2004",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Ice cloud microphysical property retrieval using airborne two-frequency radars

AU - Wang, Zhjen

AU - Heymsfield, Gerald M.

AU - Li, Lihua

AU - Heymsfield, Andrew J.

PY - 2004

Y1 - 2004

N2 - An algorithm to retrieve the optically thick ice cloud microphysical property profiles is developed by using the GSFC 9.6 GHz ER-2 Doppler Radar (EDOP) and the 94 GHz Cloud Radar System (CRS) measurements aboard the high-altitude ER-2 aircraft. In situ size distribution and total water content data from the CRYSTAL-FACE field campaign are used for algorithm development. To reduce uncertainty in calculated radar reflectivity factors (Z e) at these wavelengths, coincident radar measurements and size distribution data are used to guide the selection of mass-length relationship and to deal with the density and non-spherical effects of ice crystals on Z e. The algorithm is able to retrieve microphysical property profiles of optically thick ice clouds, such as, deep convective and anvil clouds, which are very challenge for single frequency radar and lidar. An example of retrieved microphysical properties of a deep convective cloud is presented.

AB - An algorithm to retrieve the optically thick ice cloud microphysical property profiles is developed by using the GSFC 9.6 GHz ER-2 Doppler Radar (EDOP) and the 94 GHz Cloud Radar System (CRS) measurements aboard the high-altitude ER-2 aircraft. In situ size distribution and total water content data from the CRYSTAL-FACE field campaign are used for algorithm development. To reduce uncertainty in calculated radar reflectivity factors (Z e) at these wavelengths, coincident radar measurements and size distribution data are used to guide the selection of mass-length relationship and to deal with the density and non-spherical effects of ice crystals on Z e. The algorithm is able to retrieve microphysical property profiles of optically thick ice clouds, such as, deep convective and anvil clouds, which are very challenge for single frequency radar and lidar. An example of retrieved microphysical properties of a deep convective cloud is presented.

KW - Microphysical properties

KW - Optically thick ice clouds

KW - Two-frequency radars

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/20344406839

U2 - 10.1117/12.578793

DO - 10.1117/12.578793

M3 - Conference article

AN - SCOPUS:20344406839

SN - 0277-786X

VL - 5654

SP - 48

EP - 56

JO - Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering

JF - Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering

M1 - 07

T2 - Microwave Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere and Environment IV

Y2 - 9 November 2004 through 11 November 2004

ER -

Ice cloud microphysical property retrieval using airborne two-frequency radars

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Keywords

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