Retrieval of microphysical properties of snow using spectral dual polarization analysis

Spek, ALJ; Moisseev, D; Russchenberg, H.W.J.; Unal, C.M.H.; Chandrasekar, V.

Retrieval of microphysical properties of snow using spectral dual polarization analysis

Conference paper (2005)

Authors

ALJ Spek External organisation

D Moisseev Microwave Technology and Systems for Radar

H.W.J. Russchenberg Microwave Technology and Systems for Radar

C.M.H. Unal Microwave Technology and Systems for Radar

V. Chandrasekar External organisation

Research Group

Microwave Technology and Systems for Radar

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Published Date

2005

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Research Group

Microwave Technology and Systems for Radar

Abstract

Knowledge of water clouds is essential for climate studies. To understand present global climate and predicat climate changes, global observations of cloud microphysical properties are needed and space-based systems must be considered. Retrieval of cloud parameters from space challenges current tedchnological possibilities; not just due to sensor limitations, but also due to complex relationships between cloud parameters and remote sensing observables. Straight-forward retrieval of cloud microphysics with radar only., is hindered bu the presence of drizzle. To overcome this problem, synergetic use of multiple sensors is employed. This paper focusses on the retrieval of the cloud liquid water content by means of spaceborne radar and lidar measurements. The combination of radar reflectivity and lidar optical extinction is used to classify clouds according to their drizzle fraction. Appropriate retrival algorithms can then be applied to each category to obtain the liquid water content. As the method was initially developed for ground-based instruments, differences between sensing clouds from above and below are studied. Airborne data was then used to simulate space-based applications was established. It is shown that accurte liquid water content retrieval from space is possible.