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Title: Ground-based remote sensing of cloud particle sizes during the 26 November 1991 FIRE II cirrus case: Comparisons with in situ data

Journal Article · · Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences
 [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Univ. of Colorado/NOAA/ETL, Boulder, CO (United States)
  2. National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO (United States)
  3. NOAA/Environmental Technology Lab., Boulder, CO (United States); and others

The paper presents the results of retrieving characteristic particle sizes for the November 26, 1991, FIRE II case using two methods that utilize ground-based remote sensors. The size information for the complete vertical depth of the cloud was obtained for a 3-hour period from 1830 to 2130 UTC using combined Doppler radar and TR radiometer measurements and for two shorter periods using radar reflectivity and CO{sub 2} lidar backscatter measurements. The results obtained with both remote sensing techniques are compared for these two periods. Possible retrieval uncertainties are discussed. Comparisons yielded an agreement with a relative standard deviation of 15%-20% between the two methods. Particle sizes retrieved by both methods were compared with 2D particle probe data sampled during 10 time intervals when a research aircraft was crossing the hub area. The relative standard deviation of particle sizes retrieved with the radar-radiometer method from those obtained from 2D probes is about 30% for nine compared times. The corresponding deviation for the lidar-radar method is about 35% for three compared times. The relative standard deviation between particle concentrations retrieved with the radar-radiometer method and those obtained from 2D probes is about 60% for nine compared times.

OSTI ID:
377075
Journal Information:
Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, Vol. 52, Issue 23; Other Information: PBD: 1 Dec 1995
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English