Hail recognition through the combined use of radar reflectivity and cloud-top temperatures

Abstract

A technique is described whereby the radar reflectivity can be combined with cloud-top temperature, from either satellite imagery and/or sounding analysis, to provide a reliable discrimination between heavy rain and/or hail in convective clouds. Hail sizing is also possible. During an all-season operational evaluation throughout New Zealand, the discrimination scheme yielded a probability of detection of 91% with a false-alarm ratio of only 12%. -Author