The Impact of Beam Broadening on the Quality of Radar Polarimetric Data

Abstract

Abstract The impact of beam broadening on the quality of radar polarimetric data in the presence of nonuniform beam filling (NBF) is examined both theoretically and experimentally. Cross-beam gradients of radar reflectivity Z, differential reflectivity ZDR, and differential phase ΦDP within the radar resolution volume may produce significant biases of ZDR, ΦDP, and the cross-correlation coefficient ρhv. These biases increase with range as a result of progressive broadening of the radar beam. They are also larger at shorter radar wavelengths and wider antenna beams. Simple analytical formulas are suggested for estimating the NBF-induced biases from the measured vertical and horizontal gradients of Z, ZDR, and ΦDP. Analysis of polarimetric data collected by the KOUN Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) demonstrates that frequently observed perturbations of the radial ΦDP profiles and radially oriented “valleys” of ρhv depression can be qualitatively and quantitatively explained using the suggested NBF model.