Sensitivities of Polarimetric Radar Forward Operators Used with Numerical Models
Authors
Jeffrey Snyder — National Severe Storms Laboratory
Alexander Ryzhkov — NOAA - National Severe Storms Laboratory
Daniel T. Dawson II — Purdue University
Youngsun Jung — No Affiliation
Alexander Khain — The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Category
Microphysics (cloud and/or aerosol)
Description
Numerical models can be coupled to polarimetric forward operators such that model output can be viewed using quantities commonly associated with polarimetric weather radars. Using a forward operator allows for improved model validation and for the study of the structure and evolution of polarimetric radar signatures and fields. However, many polarimetric radar quantities are sensitive to precipitation characteristics that may not be predicted well, if at all, by the microphysics scheme used in a numerical simulation. Furthermore, there are still certain assumptions about precipitation and scattering characteristics that must be made even if one uses the most sophisticated microphysics available; errors in both the microphysics scheme and the forward operator can lead to significant errors in the simulated radar fields. This poster examines some of the sensitivities in the calculated polarimetric radar fields to various assumptions made and limitations in microphysics schemes and forward operators.
