The SSEF filter and the CMD algorithm on the X-band dual-polarization Doppler weather radar

AbstractSolid-state weather radar transmitters offer great potential for increased reliability and maintainability, which have been proven to be critical for practical use. Although they have been implemented in radar systems, solid-state transmitters are incapable of producing as high peak power as available in klystrons. The pulse compression technique coupled with mismatched methods allows for low peak-power transmission and can improve the range-resolution and detection performance on the receiving end of a radar system. However, applying solid-state transmitters with pulse compression in weather radar systems still requires strong evidence for data reliability. With side-by-side observational experiments, this study compares a solid-state weather radar with the combined-pulse transmission mode to a close-by klystron Doppler weather radar in an attempt to 1) analyze the capability of the solid-state radar to reduce the near-range blind zone and 2) validate the quality and reliability of data from a solid-state radar that is implemented with the pulse compression technique. The data from the klystron Doppler weather radar are considered accurate and are used as a reference for quantitatively evaluating the solid-state radar data quality and reliability. Comparisons and statistics show that the observations from the solid-state radar are consistent with that from the klystron Doppler weather radar, especially in heavy rainfall. Results from the analysis indicate that the solid-state weather radar has high estimation accuracy in both near and far ranges.

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Coupling X-band dual-polarized mini-radars and hydro-meteorological forecast models: the HYDRORAD project

Natural Hazards and Earth System Science ◽

10.5194/nhess-13-1229-2013 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 1229-1241 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

E. Picciotti ◽

F. S. Marzano ◽

E. N. Anagnostou ◽

J. Kalogiros ◽

Y. Fessas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Decision Support ◽

High Frequency ◽

Weather Radar ◽

Decision Support Tool ◽

Dual Polarization ◽

Radar Observations ◽

Support Tool ◽

Radar Network ◽

X Band ◽

Modelling System

Abstract. Hydro-meteorological hazards like convective outbreaks leading to torrential rain and floods are among the most critical environmental issues world-wide. In that context weather radar observations have proven to be very useful in providing information on the spatial distribution of rainfall that can support early warning of floods. However, quantitative precipitation estimation by radar is subjected to many limitations and uncertainties. The use of dual-polarization at high frequency (i.e. X-band) has proven particularly useful for mitigating some of the limitation of operational systems, by exploiting the benefit of easiness to transport and deploy and the high spatial and temporal resolution achievable at small antenna sizes. New developments on X-band dual-polarization technology in recent years have received the interest of scientific and operational communities in these systems. New enterprises are focusing on the advancement of cost-efficient mini-radar network technology, based on high-frequency (mainly X-band) and low-power weather radar systems for weather monitoring and hydro-meteorological forecasting. Within the above context, the main objective of the HYDRORAD project was the development of an innovative \\mbox{integrated} decision support tool for weather monitoring and hydro-meteorological applications. The integrated system tool is based on a polarimetric X-band mini-radar network which is the core of the decision support tool, a novel radar products generator and a hydro-meteorological forecast modelling system that ingests mini-radar rainfall products to forecast precipitation and floods. The radar products generator includes algorithms for attenuation correction, hydrometeor classification, a vertical profile reflectivity correction, a new polarimetric rainfall estimators developed for mini-radar observations, and short-term nowcasting of convective cells. The hydro-meteorological modelling system includes the Mesoscale Model 5 (MM5) and the Army Corps of Engineers Hydrologic Engineering Center hydrologic and hydraulic modelling chain. The characteristics of this tool make it ideal to support flood monitoring and forecasting within urban environment and small-scale basins. Preliminary results, carried out during a field campaign in Moldova, showed that the mini-radar based hydro-meteorological forecasting system can constitute a suitable solution for local flood warning and civil flood protection applications.

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