Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-1488
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-1488
13 Jan 2023
 | 13 Jan 2023

Evaluation of polarimetric ice microphysical retrievals with OLYMPEX campaign data

Armin Blanke, Andrew J. Heymsfield, Manuel Moser, and Silke Trömel

Abstract. Polarimetric microphysical retrievals reveal a great potential for the evaluation of numerical models and data assimilation. However, the accuracy of ice microphysical retrievals is still poorly explored. To evaluate these retrievals and assess their accuracy, polarimetric radar measurements are spatially and temporally collocated with in situ aircraft measurements obtained during the OLYMPEX campaign (Olympic Mountain Experiment). Retrievals for ice water content IWC, total number concentration Nt, and mean volume diameter Dm of ice particles are assessed by comparing an in situ dataset obtained by the University of North Dakota (UND) Citation II aircraft with X-band Doppler on Wheels (DOW) measurements. Sector averaged range height indicator (RHI) scans are used to derive vertical profiles of microphysical retrievals. The comparison of these estimates with in situ data provides insights into strengths, weaknesses, and accuracy of the different retrievals, and quantifies the improvements of polarimetry-informed retrievals compared to conventional, non-polarimetric ones. In particular, the recently introduced hybrid ice water content retrieval exploiting reflectivity ZH, differential reflectivity ZDR and specific differential phase KDP outperforms other retrievals based on either (ZH, ZDR) or (ZH, KDP) or non-polarimetric retrievals in terms of correlations with in situ measurements and the root mean square error.

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

20 Apr 2023
| Highlight paper
Evaluation of polarimetric ice microphysical retrievals with OLYMPEX campaign data
Armin Blanke, Andrew J. Heymsfield, Manuel Moser, and Silke Trömel
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 2089–2106, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-2089-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-2089-2023, 2023
Short summary Executive editor

Armin Blanke et al.

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-1488', Anonymous Referee #1, 05 Feb 2023
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Armin Blanke, 13 Mar 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-1488', Anonymous Referee #2, 06 Feb 2023
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Armin Blanke, 13 Mar 2023

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-1488', Anonymous Referee #1, 05 Feb 2023
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Armin Blanke, 13 Mar 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-1488', Anonymous Referee #2, 06 Feb 2023
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Armin Blanke, 13 Mar 2023

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Armin Blanke on behalf of the Authors (14 Mar 2023)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish subject to technical corrections (15 Mar 2023) by Patric Seifert
AR by Armin Blanke on behalf of the Authors (22 Mar 2023)  Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

20 Apr 2023
| Highlight paper
Evaluation of polarimetric ice microphysical retrievals with OLYMPEX campaign data
Armin Blanke, Andrew J. Heymsfield, Manuel Moser, and Silke Trömel
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 2089–2106, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-2089-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-2089-2023, 2023
Short summary Executive editor

Armin Blanke et al.

Armin Blanke et al.

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The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

This study evaluates many currently available conventional and polarimetric radar-based remote-sensing retrievals of ice water content, total number concentration and mean diameter of ice hydrometeors. It has the potential to become a reference for the assessment of measurement uncertainties from radar observations for which no in-situ reference data are available.
Short summary
We present an evaluation of current retrieval techniques in the ice phase applied to polarimetric radar measurements with collocated in situ observations of aircraft conducted over the Olympic Mountains, Washington State during winter 2015. Radar estimates of ice properties most agreed with aircraft observations in regions with pronounced radar signatures, but uncertainties were identified that indicate issues of some retrievals, particularly in warmer temperature regimes.