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First observations of precipitation with a spatial interferometer
Author(s) -
Chilson P. B.,
Palmer R. D.,
Larsen M. F.,
Ulbrich C. W.,
Fukao S.,
Yamamoto M.,
Tsuda T.,
Kato S.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/92gl02629
Subject(s) - radar , precipitation , interferometry , doppler effect , turbulence , doppler radar , phase (matter) , spectral line , snow , geology , remote sensing , environmental science , meteorology , optics , physics , telecommunications , quantum mechanics , astronomy , computer science
This paper presents the initial results of a study of precipitation using spatial interferometry (SI) at the MU radar in Japan. On April 30, 1992, data were collected using the VHF Doppler radar at the facility during the passage of a frontal system. A linear variation in the phase was identified in the cross‐spectra of the returned signal in the Doppler velocity ranges corresponding to contributions from both precipitation and refractive index irregularities of the turbulent air. The portions of the spectra which are attributed to precipitation are broadened by the range of particle sizes and the presence of turbulence. This leads to a larger underestimation in the slope of the phase than would be attributed to turbulent fading alone. The results present the first radar interferometry study of precipitation.