Remote Sensing

Recent activities in remote sensing have focused on rainfall estimation and the development of procedures for retrieving the DSD with the "constrained-gamma" model using measurements of radar reflectivity and differential reflectivity and an empirical relation between the shape and slope parameters of the gamma DSD.

Research in this field continues on the radial and transverse component retrieved with single-antenna radars using interferometry techniques. The method determines the transverse wind component from the cross-correlation ratio (CCR) determined at positive and negative lags. In addition, error propagation in the performance of Spaced Antenna systems is being investigated.

A dual-wavelength method for retrieving liquid water content (LWC) in clouds is in the development process. The goal is to provide warnings of potential icing conditions. Recent efforts have documented potential error sources associated with mismatched radar beams and have improved processing procedures for retrieving detailed LWC information.

Research Lead: Ed Brandes