This book presents the fundamentals of polarimetric radar remote sensing through understanding wave scattering and propagation in geophysical media filled with hydrometers and other objects. The text characterizes the physical, statistical, and electromagnetic properties of hydrometers and establishes the relations between radar observables and physical state parameters. It introduces advanced remote sensing techniques (such as polarimetric phased array radar) and retrieval methods for physical parameters. The book also illustrates applications of polarimetric radar measurements in hydrometer classification, particle size distribution retrievals, microphysical parameterization, and weather quantification and forecast.
Introduction
Historical development
Objectives and organization of the book
Characterization of Hydrometeors
Physical and statistical properties
Electromagnetic properties
Wave Scattering by a Single Particle
Wave and electromagnetic wave
Scattering fundamentals
Rayleigh scattering
Mie scattering theory
Scattering calculations by a non-spherical particle
Scattering for arbitrary orientations
Scattering and Propagation in Cloud and Precipitation
Scattering models
Single scattering model
Coherent wave propagation
Propagation-included scattering
Radar Measurements and Improvement of Data Quality
Polarimetric weather radar system and equation
Regular estimation of polarimetric radar variables
Multi-lag correlation estimators
Clutter detection
Clutter mitigation
Applications in Weather Observation and Quantification
Observation of polarimetric radar signatures
Hydrometeor classification
Quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE)
Drop size distribution retrieval
Attenuation correction
Advanced Methods and Optimal Retrievals
Simultaneous attenuation correction and DSD retrieval
Statistical retrieval of rain DSDs
Variational retrieval
Optimal retrieval through data assimilation (DA)
Phased Array Radar Polarimetry
Background and challenges
Formulation for planar polarimetric phased array radar
Cylindrical polarimetric phased array radar
Biography
Guifu Zhang is Professor of Meteorology at University of Oklahoma School of Meteorology.
"Zhang’s text is an outstanding, up-to date account of polarimetric radar measurements as applied to hydrometeor classification, retrieval of microphysical properties through the use of data- assimilation techniques, and the measurement of polarimetric variables by phased-array radars. This text will be invaluable to students and researchers who are applying cutting-edge radar sensing technology and numerical forecast techniques to improve forecasts of precipitation and severe weather."
—Howard B. Bluestein, University of Oklahoma, USA"This is a unified treatment of ‘weather radar’ and ‘polarimetric radar.’ These two areas are closely related, but often treated separately. This book treats these two areas from a unified point of view and, in addition, it has some new ideas such as ‘array radar polarimetry.’ The book will be useful and give some new ideas and insights for future weather research."
—Akira Ishimaru, University of Washington, USA"Tremendous progress has been achieved during the recent decade in operational implementation of the weather radar polarimetry, and dual-polarization radar is becoming a standard for operational weather radar networks around the world. This book perfectly fits the needs of the radar and meteorological communities which have to be better educated about the advantages and potential of this new technology."
— Alexander Ryzhkov, National Severe Storms Laboratory, Norman, Oklahoma, USA"Dr. Zhang’s wide range of expertise in formulating and developing focused research to solve cutting edge problems in radar meteorology has made this book attractive to academic, research, and operational communities. The author interweaves science and engineering aspects of weather radar polrimetry seamlessly. This approach has made the book valuable course material as well as a great resource for practicing radar meteorologists."
— Jothiram Vivekanandan, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Bo
