Evaluation of atmospheric anomalous propagation conditions: an application for weather radars

Joan Bech; David H.O. Bebbington; B. Codina; A. Sairouni; Jeronimo Lorente

doi:10.1117/12.332741

11 December 1998 Evaluation of atmospheric anomalous propagation conditions: an application for weather radars

Joan Bech, David H.O. Bebbington, B. Codina, A. Sairouni, Jeronimo Lorente

Proceedings Volume 3499, Remote Sensing for Agriculture, Ecosystems, and Hydrology; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.332741
Event: Remote Sensing, 1998, Barcelona, Spain

Abstract

Several meteorological conditions are known to cause anomalous propagation (AP) of microwave radiation. The effect of AP in weather radar measurements my be important as spurious echoes from distant ground targets may appear as precipitation leading to wrong rainfall estimations. AP may also affect dramatically the quality of clear air radar observations. In this study, more than one hundred radiosonde ascents are examined to evaluate the occurrence of AP at the coastal site of Barcelona (Spain). Temperature and humidity profiles are used to calculate refractivity gradients and to estimate the existence of ducting layers. Ducts represent the worst case of super refraction and within them microwaves travel trapped like in a waveguide. To detect thin AP features a vertical resolution higher than that given by standard operational radiosonde data is desirable. For this reason, radiosonde data recorded every 10 s have been used. Results are compared against standard operational radiosonde analysis revealing a significantly higher number of AP layers. The output of a mesoscale numerical weather prediction model is also used to derive refractivity gradients. The ability of the model to simulate the propagation conditions is overviewed in order to assess the feasibility of an operational diagnostic AP product.

Citation Download Citation

Joan Bech, David H.O. Bebbington, B. Codina, A. Sairouni, and Jeronimo Lorente "Evaluation of atmospheric anomalous propagation conditions: an application for weather radars", Proc. SPIE 3499, Remote Sensing for Agriculture, Ecosystems, and Hydrology, (11 December 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.332741

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