A Method for Retrieving Cloud Microphysical Properties Using Combined Measurement of Millimeter-Wave Radar and Lidar

Abstract

Clouds are an important component of weather systems and are difficult to effectively characterize using current climate models and estimation of radiative forcing. Due to the limitations in observational capabilities, it remains difficult to obtain high-spatiotemporal-resolution, continuous, and accurate observations of clouds. To overcome this issue, we propose a novel and practical combined retrieval method using millimeter-wave radar and lidar, which enables the microphysical properties of thin liquid water clouds, such as cloud droplet effective radius, number concentration, and liquid water content, to be retrieved. This method was utilized to analyze the clouds observed at the Shanghai World Expo Park and was validated through synchronous observations with a microwave radiometer. Furthermore, the most suitable extinction backscatter ratio was determined through sensitivity analysis. This study provides vertical distributions of cloud microphysical properties with a time resolution of 1 min and a spatial resolution of 30 m, demonstrating the scientific potential of this combined retrieval method.