Cloud Optical Depth Retrieval from Cloud Radar and Microwave Radiometer Measurements

Desrochers, Paul R.

doi:10.21236/ada443401

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 22 publications

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“…The Air Force Cloud Profiling Radar (AFCPR) is a 35-GHz (8.6 cm) Ka-band radar (Desrochers 2004) designed to provide reflectivity measurements to Ϫ40 dBZ at 75-m range intervals from all cloud types except those with the smallest particle sizes (e.g., shallow cumulus). It operates with a peak power of 1.6 kW and for this project performed cirrus sensing with an average power of 6.5 W and 4-kHz pulse repetition frequency.…”

Section: Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

A Characterization of Cirrus Cloud Properties That Affect Laser Propagation

Norquist

Desrochers

McNicholl

et al. 2008

Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology

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The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing the burden to Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services Directorate for Information Operations and Reports (0704-0188), 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR SPONSORINGIMONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSORIMONITOR'S ACRONYM(S) AFRLRVBYA SPONSOR/MONITOR'S REPORT NUMBER(S) DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENTApproved for Public Release; distribution unlimited. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES -Reprinted from Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, Vol. 47, pp 1322-1336 14. ABSTRACT Future high-altitude laser systems may be affected by cirrus clouds. Laser transmission models were applied to measured and retrieved cirrus properties to determine cirrus impact on power incident on a target or receiver. A major goal was to see how well radiosondes and geostationary satellite imagery could specify the required properties. Based on the use of ground-based radar and lidar measurements as a reference, errors in cirrus-top and cirrus-base height estimates from radiosonde observations were 200/-25% of geostationary satellite retrieval errors. Radiosondes had a perfect cirrus detection rate as compared with 80% for satellite detection. Ice water path and effective particle size were obtained with a published radar-lidar retrieval algorithm and a documented satellite algorithm. Radar-lidar particle size and ice water path were 1.5 and 3 times the satellite retrievals, respectively. Radar-lidar-based laser extinction coefficients were 55% greater than satellite values. Measured radar-lidar cirrus thickness was consistently greater than satellite-retrieved thickness, but radar-lidar microphysical retrieval required detection by both sensors at each range gate, which limited the retrieval's vertical extent. Greater radar-lidar extinction and greater satellite-based cirrus thickness yielded comparable optical depths for the two independent retrievals. Laser extinction-transmission models applied to radiosonde-retrieved cirrus heights and satellite-retrieved microphysical properties revealed a significant power loss by all models as the laser beam transits the cirrus layer. This suggests that cirrus location is more important than microphysics in high-altitude laser test support. Geostationary satellite imagery may be insufficient in cirrus detection and retrieval accuracy. Humidity-sensitive radioso...

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Section: Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

A Characterization of Cirrus Cloud Properties That Affect Laser Propagation

Norquist

Desrochers

McNicholl

et al. 2008

Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology

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Observations of water vapor within a mid-tropospheric smoke plume using ground-based microwave radiometry

Clabo

2016

Preprint

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Abstract. This study presents an analysis of the water vapor mixing ratio contained within multiple mid-tropospheric smoke plumes as diagnosed by a ground-based passive microwave radiometer. Measurements from the radiometer were compared to smoke opacity as diagnosed from visible satellite imagery on three different days: 12, 16, and 20 August 2013. It was found that the water vapor mixing ratio within the smoke plume could be as much as 20–250 % higher than the mixing ratio within the ambient, non-smoke environmental air. Significant intra-smoke plume variability also existed and the mixing ratio was found to be higher (lower) in more optically thick (thin) areas of the plume. This study demonstrates that a radiometer is valuable tool that can be used to remotely measure the water vapor content within smoke plumes.

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Cloud Optical Depth Retrieval from Cloud Radar and Microwave Radiometer Measurements

Cited by 2 publications

References 22 publications

A Characterization of Cirrus Cloud Properties That Affect Laser Propagation

A Characterization of Cirrus Cloud Properties That Affect Laser Propagation

Observations of water vapor within a mid-tropospheric smoke plume using ground-based microwave radiometry

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