Date of Award
2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Atmospheric Science
Committee Chair
Lawrence Carey
Committee Member
Kevin Knupp
Committee Member
Sundar Christopher
Subject(s)
Hail, Reflectance, Radar meteorology, Polariscope
Abstract
With the growth of C-band dual-polarized radar systems in foreign weather services and research institutions, it is important for researchers and operators to understand how to use them when analyzing hail producing storms. Compared to S-band dual-polarized radars, little research has been done on the effects of hail on C-band observations. Past comparisons made between the two wavelengths consisted of small test samples. This study collected data from 35 storms with conrfirmed hail reports to make a comparison between S-band and C-band hail signatures. The study concluded that while Z(subscript H) was approximately the same across the two wavelengths, melting and resonance has a stronger effect on C-band differential reflectivity (Z(subscript DR)) and correlation coefficient (ρ(subscriptHV)) than S-band Z(subscript DR) and ρ(subscriptHV) . These attributes caused a more pronounced increase of C-band Z(subscript DR) (1 to 3 dB more) and decrease in ρ(subscriptHV) (0.03 to 0.08 less) than S-band. The larger the median C-band Z(subscript DR) is, the more different the values of Z(subscript DR) and ρ(subscriptHV) at the two wavelengths become due to C-band's higher sensitivity to resonance.
Recommended Citation
Allen, Roger, "A comparison of dual polarimetric hail signatures between c-band and s-band radar systems" (2016). Theses. 167.
https://louis.uah.edu/uah-theses/167