Airborne measurements of the ocean's Ku‐band radar cross‐section at low incidence angles

Abstract

Ocean backscatter data obtained with a K_u‐band airborne radar are presented along with coincident altimeter and directional wave spectral estimates. These data were collected using one sensor, NASA's radar ocean wave spectrometer (ROWS). The measurements are compared with an electromagnetic scattering model for perfectly conducting Gaussian random surfaces. The normalized radar cross‐section (NRCS) data cover those incidence angles (0–20°) where both quasi‐specular and Bragg scattering mechanisms are expected. Under certain conditions, identification and separation of these two mechanisms is possible. The scanning radar allows observations of the azimuthal variations in NRCS that are at times indicative of short‐scale wave generation in the wind direction.     

On the use of marine radar imagery for estimation of properties of the directional spectrum of the sea surface

Abstract

The “sea clutter” observable on a standard marine navigation radar has long been recognized as a potential source of information about sea state. In the last decade a number of researchers have published “directional wave spectra” calculated from marine radar images. Our group has continued this line of research using a unique radar system that digitizes and stores radar images eight bits deep directly related to the strength of the radar backscatter.

Our system was deployed on the CSS Hudson during the Grand Banks ERS‐1 SAR Wave Spectrum Validation Experiment cruise in November 1991. We collected in excess of 3000 sea surface backscatter images. From this dataset we have produced a number of directional spectra in an effort to understand the performance of the sensor and to compare it with other wave determining instruments and models.

Analysis has shown a strong azimuthal asymmetry both in the strength of the backscattered signal and in the relative strength of spectral peaks. This asymmetry is similar inform to that observed in scatterometer data. Unbiased estimation of the “true” image spectrum requires removal of these asymmetries. This estimation has been accomplished through calculation and removal of a non‐linear multi‐parameter least‐squares model of the backscatter from each image, and averaging of spectra from many look directions. The resulting spectra compare favourably with those calculated from directional wave buoy data, satellite and aircraft SARs and other directional wave measurements and models.     

A study of a CASP storm: Analysis of radar data

Abstract

The morphology and time evolution of a winter storm is studied using radar data taken during the Canadian Atlantic Storms Program (CASP). The vertical motions that generate the snow are derived from reflectivity measurements. The study reveals a banded structure in the precipitation pattern with ascending and descending air associated with the bands. Vertical velocities averaged over the radar‐covered area reach values close to 1 m s^‐1 . The region of large‐scale uplifting moves horizontally at about half the horizontal air velocity. A persistent precipitation pattern results from the continuously renewed air within the uplifting region.     

Analysis of marine radar image spectra collected during the grand banks ERS‐1 SAR wave experiment

Abstract

Remote measurements of wave spectra were made using MacLaren Plansearch's Marine Radar Wave Measuring System (Macrada^©) for the duration of the ERS‐1 Grand Banks Experiment (10–27 November 1991). The system consists of a Furuno X‐band marine navigation radar and a personal computer. The system was installed and operated onboard the BIO Research vessel CSS Hudson during the experiment. The radar system provides fully directional wave spectra in real time (within minutes of image acquisition) as well as archiving of the raw images for future analysis. During each of the satellite overpasses, excellent data were collected, covering a variety of wave conditions.

This paper describes the data analysis procedures and presents the results of the experiment. In addition, a sensitivity analysis is carried out to study: (1) sensitivity to the number of radar images processed on the resultant spectra, (2) effect of missing one or more images in a dataset, and (3) sensitivity to azimuth angle variation. Finally, the results are compared with corresponding directional wave spectra from other sensors (such as WAVEC Buoy and ERS‐1 SAR).     

The Design of Grossversuch IV,a Randomized Hail Suppression Experiment in Switzerland

Abstract

A randomized hail suppression experiment (Grossversuch IV) using the Soviet rocket technique is described and a brief outline of the statistical design is given. Using the large number of experiments that were conducted in the Soviet Union a confirmatory analysis will be made as well as further exploratory studies on different parameters connected with hail. The problems connected with the measurements of hail by radar and hailpads are also discussed.     

Radar measurement of rainfall by differential propagation phase: A pilot experiment

Abstract

A pilot project concerning the measurement of rainfall by polarization diversity radar, conducted jointly by the Alberta Research Council and the University of Essex in the summer of 1989, is described. The objective of the experiment was to test the theory that differential propagation phase shift can give a better estimate of rainfall with high rain rates (about 30 mm h^?1 and greater) than reflectivity measurements.

The project comprised a field experiment that was conducted in central Alberta during the period 20 July to 2 August 1989. The field experiment involved observing storms within about a 70‐km radius from Red Deer with the ARC S‐band polarization diversity radar and measuring rainfall at the ground through a network of fixed, volunteer observers and a mobile storm‐chase operation.

Theory describing how differential propagation phase may be extracted from the data recorded by the radar system is given.

Data collected on three days during the experiment (27 July, 29 July and 2 August) have been analysed and the results are presented. A total of 31 samples of total rainfall amount were collected on these days. All but three of the 31 radar rainfall amount predictions obtained from the differential propagation phase are within a factor of 2 of the rainfall observed at the ground. In fact, the average ratio of the total rainfall amount predicted from the differential propagation phase to the total rainfall amount measured at the ground is 1.16 for the 31 samples. This suggests that, on average, the total rainfall amount predicted from the differential propagation phase is only 16% higher than that measured at the ground. Of the 31 events, over a third involved some contamination of the differential propagation phase measurement through hail. Furthermore, because the K_DP technique does not rely on parameters dependent on precipitation characteristics or adjustment factors, the technique can be validated in a convenient location and then applied anywhere.

On the other hand, the radar rainfall amount estimates derived from Z‐R relations represent, in general, a large overestimation of the rainfall amount observed at the ground, especially when hail is present. No attempt was made to adjust or calibrate the radar rainfall estimates with raingauge data.     

The king city operational doppler radar: Development,all‐season applications and forecasting

Abstract

In 1985, the first Doppler weather radar to operate in Canada was established by the Research Directorate of the Atmospheric Environment Service (AES) at a site in King City, north of Toronto, Ontario. The initial thrust of the research program immediately recognized the advances Doppler observations would make in the operational sector and a system was devised to satisfactorily meet both needs. This paper describes the radar system, the techniques, the data processing and innovations developed to provide immediate intelligence to the data. The system was developed by adapting mainly commercial hardware and in‐house software. The system factors that are significant for operational meteorological surveillance and analysis, the display form and formats, and the sample cases illustrating the impact of Doppler observations on both synoptic and mesocale analysis in all seasons complete the discussion.

Significant factors, in both system parameters and meteorology, that impinge on the success of the Doppler radar program and its applications are summarized. There is sufficient maturity in the technology, display capabilities and meteorological knowledge to warrant network implementation. However, research and development is still needed to interpret and synthesize the voluminous amounts of available information. In particular, conceptual models of the kinematics of mesoscale systems need considerable development.     

Sferics at two stations compared with radar‐observed precipitation

Abstract

The thunderstorms of a June cold‐front passage have been observed by radar, on a constant‐altitude map at 6‐km height as “Larsen areas’ ‘ within which the precipitation intensity level exceeds 30 dBZ, and by two sferics receivers, frequency 100 ± 50 kHz, one at the radar and the other 57 km distant. From the sferics, a distribution of storms with angular extent was obtained. This yielded the distribution with azimuth of the sferics random observational errors: normal with standard deviation 2.1°. Combined with radar‐determined ranges (between 100 and 200 km), it also yielded the distribution with cross‐range linear extent of the sferics sources: log normal with median 9.2 km, standard deviation corresponding to a factor 1.6, for widths 6 to 15 km. No correlation was found between storm width and sferics rate. A power‐law relation has been found between sferics rate and the Larsen area A, sufficiently good that the sferics rate can be predicted within a factor 2 from the Larsen area, but different from that obtained for another day. For both days, the Larsen area A could be replaced by another precipitation parameter, P, in effect a weighted area taking into account the variation within A of the precipitation intensity. This more complex parameter was somewhat better than Aas a predictor of the sferics rate.     

Reflectivity‐rain rate relationships for convective rainshowers in Edmonton: Research note

Abstract

A reflectivity‐rainfall rate (Z‐R) relationship is derived from Carvel radar and Edmonton rain gauge measurements. Our analysis indicates that the traditional point‐by‐point comparison method is not accurate for Alberta summertime precipitation due to timing errors in fast moving convective storms. The Window Probability Matching Method (WPMM) was superior and provided a robust Z‐R relationship in the form of Z = 32.5 R^1.65.     

The outlook for precipitation measurements from space*

Abstract

To provide useful precipitation measurements from space, two requirements must be met: adequate spatial and temporal sampling of the storm and sufficient accuracy in the estimate of precipitation intensity. Although presently no single instrument or method completely satisfies both requirements, the visible/IR, microwave radiometer and radar methods can be used in a readepiction, manner. Visible/IR instruments provide good temporal sampling and rain area depiction, but recourse must be made to microwave measurements for quantitative rainfall estimates. The inadequacy of microwave radiometric measurements over land suggests, in turn, the use of radar. Several recently developed attenuating‐wavelength radar methods are discussed in terms of their accuracy, dynamic range and system implementation. Traditionally, the requirements of high resolution and adequate dynamic range have led to fairly costly and complex radar systems. Some simplifications and cost reduction can be made, however, by using K‐band wavelengths, which have the advantages of greater sensitivity at low rain rates and higher resolution capabilities. Several recently proposed methods of this kind are reviewed in terms of accuracy and system implementation. Finally, an adaptive‐pointing multi‐sensor instrument is described that would exploit certain advantages of the IR, radiometric and radar methods.     

Precipitation in the Canadian Atlantic storms program: Measurements of the acoustic signature

Abstract

The Canadian Atlantic Storms Program (CASP) provided an opportunity for comparing two quite different remote‐sensing approaches to the detection of precipitation: radar backscatter and ambient ocean sound. Several of the gales passing the observation area during CASP produced substantial precipitation with the periods of radar backscatter showing close coincidence with simultaneous acoustic signals. The ambient sound record most readily yields an indication of precipitation from shifts in spectral slope. An important result of the experiment is the demonstration that an identifiable precipitation signal occurs even in strong wind conditions. The surface bubble layer formed during strong winds only partially attenuates the higher frequency acoustic components generated by precipitation. During rain‐free periods the attenuation can be interpreted in terms of the bubble size distribution.     

The pseudospectral approximation applied to the shallow water equations on a sphere

Abstract

The Radar data Analysis, Processing and Interactive Display (RAPID) system, developed by McGill University researchers, synthesizes spherical coordinate radar data onto Cartesian maps displaying Constant Altitude Plan Position Indicator (CAPPI) reflectivity, Vertically Integrated Liquid water content (VIL), and other radar‐based parameters. In this study, Carvel radar (53.34°N, 114.09°W) data from July 2000 were processed using McGill's RAPID software. Specifically, we compared observations of severe convection, as identified by selected radar‐based reflectivity parameters, with surface severe weather reports and atmospheric sounding data. July 2000 was characterized by frequent severe thunderstorm activity over central Alberta; there were seven days with golfball‐sized hail, and two days with confirmed tornadoes. The VIL, upper level VIL (UVIL), and the maximum reflectivity at 7 km (Z7) were employed to quantify the strength and frequency of storms within a 120‐km radial distance of Carvel. For each day, the intensity of the convection was quantified by counting the total number of 1‐km² pixels in the study area that exceeded the severe thresholds for VIL, UVIL and Z7. The severe thunderstorm algorithms were found to be very effective at correctly identifying the observed severe thunderstorm events. All three radar parameters indicated a diurnal cycle, with severe convection starting after noon and peaking between 16:00 and 18:00 Local Daylight Time. A positive correlation was evident between the observed storm severity and the daily UVIL and Z7 pixel counts. The daily UVIL and Z7 pixel counts were also positively correlated with the Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE) calculated from proximity soundings.     

Rain‐snow boundaries and freezing precipitation in Canadian East Coast winter storms

Abstract

Fourteen rain‐snow boundaries and freezing precipitation episodes within Canadian East Coast winter storms are examined. Radar, sounding, and surface observations are used to study the characteristics of these features. Rain‐snow boundaries and freezing precipitation episodes are coupled phenomena. The deepest radar echoes and the heaviest precipitation generally occur in the adjacent snow region, and surface wind shifts typically are associated with the transition to rain.     

Warm frontal structure in association with a rapidly deepening extratropical cyclone

Abstract

The detailed characteristics of a CASPII warm frontal passage are presented in this article. This storm, Intensive Operating Period (IOP) 13 (February 26–27, 1992), was observed in detail with an array of diverse instruments. It has the advantage over earlier freezing precipitation studies of having simultaneous, in situ and remote sensing measurements by aircraft and ground‐based Doppler radar.

The associated precipitation was in the form of banded structures parallel to the front. Within these bands were embedded precipitation cores, some parallel to the band, some perpendicular. The warm front itself was characterized by major perturbations in its kinematic and thermodynamic features. The cores oriented parallel to the front were the result of embedded convection generated, at least in part, by the irregularities in the frontal surface.

The cores oriented perpendicular to the front were closely associated with the 0°C isotherm on the underside of the frontal inversion. Precipitation phase changes played a significant role in the occurrence of wide near 0°C regions, both vertically and horizontally. These regions had a profound influence on the observed precipitation types and led to complex precipitation‐thermodynamic‐dynamic interactions. Instabilities produced by these interactions are seen in wave‐like features observed by the Doppler radar in these regions, both parallel and perpendicular to the frontal zone.     

Lightning‐flash locations related to the precipitation pattern of the storm

Abstract

Triangulation from paired sferics (100 ± 50 kHz) received at stations 57 km apart gave 42 map locations of lightning flashes belonging to a thunderstorm well‐defined on weather radar. This storm was one of many in a long line along the leading edge of a band of light stratiform precipitation (snow above 3 km). The band was 9 km high and 60 km wide, and the storms were embedded in it. The convective region of the storm studied had a north‐south extent of 20 km, the east‐west extent averaging two‐thirds as much. Cumulus heights progressed from 3 km on the west to 7 ± 1 km on the east. Two‐thirds of the lightning flashes were in the convective region. The remaining third were in 160 km² of the light stratiform precipitation immediately west of it.     

Radar measurements of integral parameters of hailstorms used on hail suppression projects

The exact quantitative estimation of hailstorm precipitation intensity, allowing determining successfully the crop hail damage, is extremely necessary while carrying out of programs of experimental researches of the hail clouds as well as at realization of operative projects on hail suppression. On the other hand, the possibility of obtaining a trustworthy information about changes of hailfall intensity during cloud seeding operations enables to judge more objectively about seeding effect and to make a decision about its beginning and termination. Just because of such a parameter, the kinetic energy of hailfalls presents a great interest for the researchers. As it is known, measuring the kinetic energy of hailfalls is carried out both directly by ground network of hailpads, and by radar methods. The accuracy of the radar methods of the hail kinetic energy measurement strongly depends not only on the choice of an optimum formula for calculation but also on the algorithm used for separating hail and rain parts of radar echo and on the way it was used in the hail–rain mixture zone of precipitation.The method of calculating the kinetic energy of the hailfalls, based on empirical dependence of hail probability P_h on a height of a zone of a radar echo with a reflectivity of 45 dBZ above a level of zero isotherm ΔH₄₅, is offered in the given work. The algorithm of separating hail and rain parts of a radar echo and the way it was applied in a hail–rain mixture zone is described. The examples of hail streaks in contours of radar reflectivity and in isopleths of hail kinetic energy obtained using the given algorithm are shown.In Mendoza province (Argentina), a hail suppression project (1993–1997) for the analysis of the vertical structure of a radar echo with Z_max > 45 dBZ, such new parameter is an integral altitude, was used. This dimensionless parameter is most sensitive to such a condition of radar echo when all four contours of increased reflectivity Z₄₅, Z₅₅, Z₆₅, and Z₇₅ synchronously reach the maximal values. The analysis of time distributions of the main radar parameters of hailstorms on a background of values of integral altitude is resulted. It is shown that local hailfall maximum intensities on the ground are observed after the achievement of maximum integral altitude with a certain delay. It enables to predict zones of the greatest hail damage in a mode of radar observation.     

Fusion of dual‐frequency SAR imagery of sea ice

Abstract

A new method is presented for the classification of sea ice using multi‐parametric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery. The local textural information, which is in essence a weighted gradient at a point, is computed in two SAR images of similar polarization but differing radar wavelength. The local information from the two images is combined at every pixel using a suggested rule for the addition of an entropy‐like measure. The resulting summation is shown to have the same negative exponential probability distribution found for the information from each separate image, confirming that the combined measure has the properties of information also. It is shown that the resulting joint information categories support a segmentation very similar to one based on consideration of the full complex scattering matrix for three wavelengths.     

X波段双线偏振雷达回波强度衰减和地物回波识别订正

与常规雷达相比,双线偏振天气雷达在降水系统的准确探测、资料质量的提高等方面具有明显的优势,但X波段双线偏振雷达资料受衰减和地物的影响较大,需要进行必要的衰减和地物订正。本文以2010年7月中国气象局在广东阳江开展的遥感数据比对试验得到数据为例,用ZH和ZDR结合的方法对ZH进行衰减订正,用ZH和ZDR的方差识别地物回波,并利用反射率因子垂直廓线订正受地物影响的底层回波。将订正后的ZH与S波段雷达探测的ZH相比较,将订正后的ZH与KDP的散点图和拟合的KDP与ZH曲线关系对比验证。结果表明经过订正的ZH与S波段雷达探测的ZH一致性较好,与拟合曲线也更为吻合,说明方法能有效提高雷达资料的质量。     

From Pioneers to Practitioners: A Short History of Severe Thunderstorm Research and Forecasting in Canada†

ABSTRACT

The science of understanding severe thunderstorms and developing techniques for their prediction is relatively young, with most fundamental research having been carried out only during the last 75 years. Though it is not widely known, Canada has played an important role in such research and development, and some of Canada’s atmospheric scientists have been pioneers globally in a number of areas. This brief review attempts to describe the full breadth of the Canadian contribution, with sections dedicated to radar meteorology, field studies, laboratory work, and forecasting. Key areas requiring further investment in order to improve our understanding and predictive skill are also identified.     

台风“利奇马”期间苏州大暴雨物理量诊断和微物理特征分析

采用日本气象厅的最佳台风路径及强度资料、NCEP/NCAR逐6 h细网格再分析数据,分析了"利奇马"暴雨影响相关的云水含量、假相当位温、水汽通量散度、Q矢量、湿位涡等物理量;通过苏州雨滴谱资料,分析降雨强度、雨滴数密度、雨滴平均直径、雨滴含水量、雷达反射率因子、雨滴谱宽等微物理量特征。结果表明降水落区位于环境垂直风切变顺切的左侧。暴雨期间能量和水汽条件较好,低层Q矢量梯度使辐合上升增强,且其非对称性对暴雨落区有指示意义,湿位涡的发展也有利于暴雨的加强;另外,微物理分析表明冷云降水机制使降水效率大幅提高,雨滴谱能较好地反映台风降水特征,强降水主要由层状云中嵌入的对流降水引起。强降水时段雨滴谱的相关微物理量等都呈现较大值。