Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

Freezing Drizzle Detection with WSR-88D Radars

Kyoko Ikeda National Center for Atmospheric Research,* Boulder, Colorado

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Roy M. Rasmussen National Center for Atmospheric Research,* Boulder, Colorado

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Edward Brandes National Center for Atmospheric Research,* Boulder, Colorado

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Frank McDonough National Center for Atmospheric Research,* Boulder, Colorado

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Print Publication:
01 Jan 2009
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/2008JAMC1939.1
Page(s):
41–60
Restricted access

Abstract

This study describes a freezing drizzle detection algorithm based on the Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) measured radar reflectivity. Although radar returns from freezing drizzle and light snow are similar—<5 dBZ and spatially uniform—freezing drizzle can be identified using feature parameters computed from radar reflectivity, such as local and global standard deviations and reflectivity texture weighted with a fuzzy-logic scheme. Algorithm results agree well with surface precipitation reports. The proposed algorithm can serve as one component of automated decision-support schemes for icing hazard detection and/or hydrometeor identification.

* The National Center for Atmospheric Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.

Corresponding author address: Kyoko Ikeda, P.O. Box 3000, Boulder, CO 80701. Email: kyoko@ucar.edu

Abstract

This study describes a freezing drizzle detection algorithm based on the Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) measured radar reflectivity. Although radar returns from freezing drizzle and light snow are similar—<5 dBZ and spatially uniform—freezing drizzle can be identified using feature parameters computed from radar reflectivity, such as local and global standard deviations and reflectivity texture weighted with a fuzzy-logic scheme. Algorithm results agree well with surface precipitation reports. The proposed algorithm can serve as one component of automated decision-support schemes for icing hazard detection and/or hydrometeor identification.

* The National Center for Atmospheric Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.

Corresponding author address: Kyoko Ikeda, P.O. Box 3000, Boulder, CO 80701. Email: kyoko@ucar.edu

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Cover Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology
Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology

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