Abstract
Millimeter-wavelength radar has proved to be an effective instrument for cloud observation and research. In this study, 8-mm-wavelength cloud radar (MMCR) with Doppler and polarization capabilities was used to investigate cloud dynamics in China for the first time. Its design, system specifications, calibration, and application in measuring clouds associated with typhoon are discussed in this article. The cloud radar measurements of radar reflectivity (Z), Doppler velocity (V r), velocity spectrum width (S w) and the depolarization ratio (L DR) at vertical incidence were used to analyze the microphysical and dynamic processes of the cloud system and precipitation associated with Typhoon Nuri, which occurred in southern China in August 2008. The results show the reflectivity observed using MMCR to be consistent with the echo height and the melting-layer location data obtained by the nearby China S-band new-generation weather radar (SA), but the Ka-band MMCR provided more detailed structural information about clouds and weak precipitation data than did the SA radar. The variation of radar reflectivity and L DR in vertical structure reveals the transformation of particle phase from ice to water. The vertical velocity and velocity spectrum width of MMCR observations indicate an updraft and strong turbulence in the stratiform cloud layer. MMCR provides a valuable new technology for meteorological research in China.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Atlas, D., 1954: The estimation of cloud parameters by radar. J. Meteor., 11, 309–317.
Atlas, D., R. C. Srivastava, and R. S. Sektion, 1973: Doppler radar characterstics of precipitation at vertical incidence. Rev. Geophys. Space Phys., 11, 1–35.
Bringi, V. N., and A. Hendry, 1990: Technology of polarization diversity radars for meteorology. Radar in Meteorology, D. Atlas, Ed., Amer. Meteor. Soc, 153–190.
Chen, R. H., 2001: Application of millimeter-wavelength radar in military. Military Electronics, 5, 72–73. (in Chinese)
Danne, O., M. Quante, D. Milferstädt, H. Lemke, and E. Raschke, 1999: Relationships between Doppler spectral moments within large-scale cirro- and altostra-tus cloud fields observed by a ground-based 95-GHz cloud radar. J. Appl. Meteor., 38, 175–189.
Hamazu, K., H. Hashiguchi, T. Wakayama, T. Matsuda, R. J. Doviak, and S. Fukao, 2003: A 35-GHz scanning Doppler radar for fog observations. J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol, 20, 972–986.
Kollias, P., E. E. Clothiaus, M. A. Miller, E. P. Luke, K. L. Johnson, K. P. Moran, K. B. Widener, and B. A. Albrecht, 2007: The atmospheric radiation measurement program cloud profiling radars: second-generation sampling stratrgies, processing and cloud data products. J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol, 24, 1119–1214.
Kropfli, R. A., and R. D. Kelly, 1996: Meteorological research applications of mm-wave radar. Meteor. Atmos. Phys., 59, 105–121.
Kropfli, R. A., B. W. Bartram, and S. Y. Matrosov, 1990: The upgraded WPL dual-polarization 8-mm wavelength Doppler radar for microphysical and climate research. Preprints, Proc. Conf. on Cloud Physics, Amer. Meteor. Soc, 341–345.
Lhermitte, R. M., 1987a: A 94-GHz Doppler radar for cloud observations. J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol, 4, 36–48.
Moran, K. P., B. E. Martner, M. J. Post, R. A. Kropfli, D. C. Welsh, and K. B. Widener, 1998: An unattended cloud-profiling radar for use in climate research. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc, 79, 443–455.
O’Connor, E. J., A. J. Illingworth, and R. J. Hogan, 2004: Retrieving stratocumulus drizzle parameters using Doppler radar and lidar. J. Appl. Meteor., 44, 14–27.
Paulsen, W. H., P. J. Petrocchi, and G. McLean, 1970: Operational utilization of the AN/TPQ-11 cloud detection radar. Air Force Cambridge Research Labs Instrumentation Papers, 166–168.
Pazmany, A. L., R. E. Mcintosh, M. Hervig, R. Kelly, and G. Vali, 1994a: 95GHz Polarimetrie radar measurement of orographic cap clouds from the Elk Moutain Wyoming observatory. J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol, 11, 140–153.
Pazmany, A. L., R. E. Mcintosh, R. D. Kelly and G. Vali, 1994b: An airborne 95GHz polarized radar for cloud studies. IEEE Trans. Geosci. Remote Sens., 32, 731–739.
Ren, L., and Y. B. Qu, 2004: The application of millimeter wave technology and infrared technology in the martial field. Infrared Technology, 26(3), 66–74. (in Chinese)
Sekelsky, S. M., and R. E. Mcintosh, 1996: Cloud observation with a Polarimetrie 33GHz and 95GHz radar. Meteor. Atmos. Phys., 59, 123–140.
Shi, X., 2006: Application and development of millimeter-wave radars. Telecommunication Engineering, 1, 1–9. (in Chinese)
Tong, Q., Y. Ling, and J. Jiang, 2004: Application and prospect of military millimeter-wavelength radar. Control and Guide, 26(5), 48–51. (in Chinese)
Vali, G., R. D. Kelly, A. Pazmany, and R. E. Mcintosh, 1995: Airborn radar and in-situ observations of a shallow stratus with drizzle. Atmospheric Research, 38, 361–380.
Wei, Z., H. Lin, and M. Xin, 1985: The observation capability of millimeter radar in cloud. Acta Meteorologica Sinica, 43(3), 378–383. (in Chinese)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zhong, L., Liu, L., Feng, S. et al. A 35-GHz polarimetrie Doppler radar and its application for observing clouds associated with Typhoon Nuri. Adv. Atmos. Sci. 28, 945–956 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00376-010-0073-5
Received:
Revised:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00376-010-0073-5