Polarimetric radar properties of smoke plumes: A model

Abstract

Smoke plumes can be recognized with the polarimetric Weather Surveillance Radar, 1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) using low correlation coefficient between signals in the horizontal and vertical channels. A model that describes radar measurements at 10 cm wavelength is developed. Using the model it is concluded that smoke scatterers have a needle-like form. The scatterers flutter with the mean angle of 23. .27° which is the angle between the major particle's axis and horizontal plane. It is inferred that the scatterers have the real part of dielectric permittivity larger than 15 and the major-to-minor axis ratio larger than 6. Future capabilities of the polarimetric radar can be used to determine smoke particles' properties with better accuracy. Copyright 2009 by the American Geophysical Union.