Statistics on the sizes and internal structures of rainshowers

A large sample of radar reflectivity data from essentially a full summer of operation was analyzed to determine the horizontal extents and internal structure of rain areas observed at altitude levels from 2 to 10 km. Results are given on the size distributions of individual cells or patches defined by reflectivity thresholds approximately 4 dBz apart, on the dependence of mean size on altitude and reflectivity threshold, and on the interior structure of the patches as characterized by the number and sizes of higher-threshold patches contained in each echo. In a more detailed analysis of internal structure, the data were restricted to convective echoes in which certain prescribed reflectivities, ranging from about 30 to 50 dBz, were exceeded. It was found that the dependence of mean quantities, such as patch area, on reflectivity and altitude could be approximately described by simple functions, but that the scatter of observations about the mean was usually large.     

桂林暴雨天气的多普勒雷达径向速度分析与应用

利用桂林新一带天气雷达径向速度产品资料对2004年发生在桂林的强暴雨过程及其暴雨个例的径向速度平面位置显示产品（PPI）特征的多样性进行分析发现，利用径向速度变化可判断中尺度对流的发展，可对桂林暴雨提前做出预报。     

Verifying warnings for point precipitation

Short-term risk forecasts of point precipitation are obtained with COTREC/RainCast, a technique for extrapolation of radar images. The risk forecasts are updated every 5 min for the next 0–2 h. Risk levels are defined for moderate, heavy and extreme precipitation. Warning messages are generated if, at the locations of 23 rain gauges, these risk levels are reached or exceeded. The time-resolved gauge data are used to judge if the warning messages are in time, early or late.Data over a period of 4 months (summer 2002) are used for verification. The largest number of warnings (1790) was obtained for moderate precipitation. About 55% of these warnings were in time, 23% were early and 22% were late. This finding is in a good agreement with the defined risk level for warnings (50%), indicating that the model for calculating the risk factors is reliable. Less warnings in time, and more late warnings were found for heavy and extreme precipitation. Hence, the risk levels need to be lowered for heavy and extreme precipitation, in order to reduce the number of late warnings.     

Lightning observations with the Strato-Tropospheric UHF and VHF radars at Arecibo, Puerto Rico

Observations were carried out at National Astronomy and Ionospheric Center (NAIC) in Puerto Rico with a dual-frequency (46.8MHz/430MHz) Strato-Tropospheric radar associated with ground-based precipitation and electrostatic field measurements. This experimental set-up is devoted to provide wind measurements and detection of clear air turbulence. During a thunderstorm event, VHF-UHF radar receivers detected wide frequency band radiation emitted by lightning flashes. We present in this paper observations of a specific storm for which lightning radiation and ionized lightning channel were fortuitously and simultaneously detected. A bi-level structure of the lightning flash channel is observed and is consistent with observations obtained previously by other authors with VHF lightning mapper.     

Quality control algorithms for rainfall measurements

One of the basic requirements for a scientific use of rain data from raingauges, ground and space radars is data quality control. Rain data could be used more intensively in many fields of activity (meteorology, hydrology, etc.), if the achievable data quality could be improved. This depends on the available data quality delivered by the measuring devices and the data quality enhancement procedures. To get an overview of the existing algorithms a literature review and literature pool have been produced. The diverse algorithms have been evaluated to meet VOLTAIRE objectives and sorted in different groups. To test the chosen algorithms an algorithm pool has been established, where the software is collected. A large part of this work presented here is implemented in the scope of the EU-project VOLTAIRE (Validation of multisensors precipitation fields and numerical modeling in Mediterranean test sites).     

Using radar direct wave for concrete condition assessment: Correlation with electrical resistivity

This paper demonstrates that the direct wave of a radar ground-coupled antenna may be used for the nondestructive assessment of the physical condition of concrete, which directly influences the corrosion of the reinforcing bars in the structure. The validity of this method was evaluated by a comparison with the electrical resistivity method, which is frequently used for the evaluation of corrosion probability. Both methods were implemented in the laboratory on 72 concrete samples (25 × 25 × 8 cm³) with various degrees of saturation and chloride contamination levels. On-site investigations were also carried out on the concrete slab (1080 m²) of a car-park.The results of the laboratory tests show that the radar direct signal is strongly affected by variations in concrete moisture and chloride contamination level. The tests performed in real conditions confirm the good correlation between radar direct wave attenuation and electrical resistivity and, thus, the aptitude of the radar direct wave to detect concrete conditions leading to reinforcement corrosion.     

714SD多普勒雷达在强降水中的应用

本文针对近几年汕头地区出现的强降水天气，重点开展了多普勒天气雷达速度回波及其产品的应用研究，结合相应的天气背景、物理量变化对强度回波和速度场回波作一些分析，归纳总结出台风、冷锋锋面、暖切变、西南急流、脊后槽前辐合区、东风波等不同天气形势下强降水的类型及其回波特征，并尝试性地解释了一些特殊回波的风场结构和天气现象。     

基于目标时域散射特性的土地覆盖类型分类研究

目标散射特性随时间变化的规律称之为目标时域散射特性。目标时域散射特征是利用多时相雷达遥感图像进行目标识别的基础。本研究以广东肇庆为试验区,利用多时相单参数雷达图像进行土地覆盖类型分类研究,分析了试验区内典型植被的结构、形态及其散射机理等特征,总结了各类目标的时域散射特性,区分识别了多种目标,制作了土地覆盖类型分类图.     

Delineation of sulphide ore-zones by borehole radar tomography at Hellyer Mine, Australia

Velocity and absorption tomograms are the two most common forms of presentation of radar tomographic data. However, mining personnel, geophysicists included, are often unfamiliar with radar velocity and absorption. In this paper, general formulae are introduced, relating velocity and attenuation coefficient to conductivity and dielectric constant. The formulae are valid for lossy media as well as high-resistivity materials. The transformation of velocity and absorption to conductivity and dielectric constant is illustrated via application of the formulae to radar tomograms from the Hellyer zinc–lead–silver mine, Tasmania, Australia. The resulting conductivity and dielectric constant tomograms constructed at Hellyer demonstrated the potential of radar tomography to delineate sulphide ore zones.     

Close range radar remote sensing of concrete degradation in a textile factory floor

This paper describes a GPR study carried out with the aim of evaluating deterioration of concrete floors in a textile factory. In the past, production process waste was spilt onto the floor of the factory. A slow but continuous action from this waste on the concrete caused a significant variation in its porosity that can be detected by studying changes in the GPR reflected pulse. A simple synthetic model was developed in order to obtain information about how the response of the GPR antenna pulse is affected by changes in the porosity of concrete. It should also be taken into account the different conditions of the factory floor at the time of testing, as it had been isolated from the action of waste for many years. The heterogeneous conditions of the floor and the simplicity of the model used did not allow for an accurate estimate of the porosity; however, it was possible to map degraded areas of the floor in relationship to changes in the reflected signal. Core samples taken showed that some areas had concrete porosity of 15% and up to 25%, which is closer to that of sand than to concrete.