Cloud phase detection in winter stratiform clouds using Polarimetric Doppler Radar

The purpose of this study is to examine the radar signatures of two ground-based polarimetric radars, one Sband and one X-band, under winter storm conditions. A data set of coordinated ground radar and aircraft observations was collected during the Alliance Icing Research Study (AIRS) conducted in 1999/2000. Reflectivity values exhibit a strong relationship to the predominant phase and water content in the cloud system. ZDR and kDP contain valuable information for distinguishing mixed phase from glaciated conditions. In general, X-band kDP ’s are superior to S-band for these winter conditions. Insights into the results were obtained by examining the microphysical properties of the clouds as deduced from the in-situ aircraft measurements.