Classification and quantification of snow based on spatial variability of radar reflectivity

Abstract

In this study, a classification methodology of snow particle types, i.e., crystals, aggregates, rimed snow, and graupel, by using spatial variability of the equivalent radar reflectivity factor is proposed. The methodology is formulated on the basis of the analysis of vertically pointing Doppler radar, scanning dual-polarization weather radar, and supporting surface observations. It is argued that by using the proposed snow-type identification methodology, it is possible to guide the choice of the particular parameters of power law relations of equivalent radar reflectivity factor-liquid equivalent snowfall rate. The validity of the classification results are demonstrated by comparing the classification output to Vaisala WXT observations, which can be used to detect presence of high-density particles in snow. The performance of the proposed quantitative snowfall estimation algorithm is illustratedusing an example of the data collectedfrom the C-bandoperational Helsinki Vantaa radar and ground instruments (Vaisala PWD-11, Pluvio). © 2013, Meteorological Society of Japan.