Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-205
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-205
19 Feb 2024
 | 19 Feb 2024

Advantages of G-band radar in multi-frequency, liquid phase microphysical retrievals

Benjamin Michael Courtier, Alessandro Battaglia, and Kamil Mroz

Abstract. Radar based microphysical retrievals of cloud and droplet properties are vital for informing model parameterisations of clouds and precipitation but these retrievals often do not capture the details of small droplets in light rain or drizzle. A state-of-the-art G-band radar is used here to demonstrate improvements to microphysical retrievals in a case study featuring light rain. Improvements are seen, as compared to W-band radar, in the retrieval of vertical wind speed, due to the location of Mie minima at smaller droplet sizes with the G-band radar. This, in turn, has an impact on the retrieval of the drop size distribution, allowing for better accuracy in the retrieval of the characteristic drop diameter and improvements in the retrieval of the number of concentration of small droplet sizes. The differential Doppler velocity between Ka- and G-bands shows increased dynamic range compared to the Ka-W pairing, particularly for instances presenting small characteristic drop diameters. The increased attenuation experienced at G-band enables improved retrievals of liquid water content and precipitation rate when paired with W-band or Ka-band as compared to the W-band and Ka- band pairing. This is particularly noticeable in periods of light rain where the W-band and Ka-band radars receive negligible attenuation while the attenuation at G-band is much greater.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Benjamin Michael Courtier, Alessandro Battaglia, and Kamil Mroz

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-205', Anonymous Referee #1, 06 Mar 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Ben Courtier, 22 May 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-205', Anonymous Referee #2, 12 Mar 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Ben Courtier, 22 May 2024

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-205', Anonymous Referee #1, 06 Mar 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Ben Courtier, 22 May 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-205', Anonymous Referee #2, 12 Mar 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Ben Courtier, 22 May 2024
Benjamin Michael Courtier, Alessandro Battaglia, and Kamil Mroz
Benjamin Michael Courtier, Alessandro Battaglia, and Kamil Mroz

Viewed

Total article views: 508 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total BibTeX EndNote
349 129 30 508 19 20
  • HTML: 349
  • PDF: 129
  • XML: 30
  • Total: 508
  • BibTeX: 19
  • EndNote: 20
Views and downloads (calculated since 19 Feb 2024)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 19 Feb 2024)

Viewed (geographical distribution)

Total article views: 508 (including HTML, PDF, and XML) Thereof 508 with geography defined and 0 with unknown origin.
Country # Views %
  • 1
1
 
 
 
 
Latest update: 23 Nov 2024
Download
Short summary
A new millimetre wavelength radar is used to improve methods of retrieving information about the smallest droplets that exist within clouds. The radar is shown to be able to retrieve the vertical wind speed more to, to retrieve the cloud liquid water content for thinner clouds and can retrieve information about the droplet sizes and the average drop size in lighter rainfall than would be possible by using longer wavelength radars.