Combined passive and active microwave retrieval of falling snow during the 2003 Wakasa Bay field experiment

Abstract

The present research describes a novel snowfall retrieval algorithm using combined radar and radiometer observations of cold-cloud precipitation. The algorithm retrieves a 1-D vertical distribution of precipitation rate, particle size, particle density, and cloud liquid water content using aircraft-or satellite-based co-located dual-wavelength radar and passive microwave radiometer observations. The 2003 Wakasa Bay field experiment over the Sea of Japan provided high-resolution observations of snowfall using aircraft-based instruments compatible with the present technique. The dual-frequency APR-2 radar operated at 13.4 and 35.6 GHz, while the co-located the MIR radiometer made cross-track observed brightness temperatures at 89, 150, 220, 183.3plusmn1, 183.3plusmn3, 183.3plusmn7, 220 and 340 GHz. The techniques described here are being developed with an eye toward the upcoming Global Precipitation Measurement Mission (GPM). Parameterizations based on these retrievals are already being used to identify and communicate the key characteristics of cold-cloud precipitation to the larger remote sensing and climate modeling community.