Negative correlation between terminal velocity and VHF radar reflectivity: observation and plausible explanation

Abstract

Abstract. The correlation between precipitation backscatter P (or radar reflectivity Z) and reflectivity-weighted terminal velocity Vt has long been thought to be positive. Namely, the larger the magnitude of the terminal velocity is, the stronger the radar reflectivity will be, and vice versa. However, we will show in this article the observational evidences of negative Vt–P correlation made with the Chung-Li VHF radar. It is found that the negative Vt–P correlation can occur in the regions from close to ground to well above the melting layer. In addition, there is a strong tendency for the negative