Measurements of Visibility and Radar Reflectivity During Snowstorms in the AFGL Mesonet

Measurements of Visibility and Radar Reflectivity During Snowstorms in the AFGL Mesonet
Author: H. Stuart Muench
Publisher:
Total Pages: 40
Release: 1977
Genre: Mesometeorology
ISBN:

Field experiments were conducted with the AFGL Mesonet and FPS-77 digital radar during snowstorms for evaluation of the use of radar to observe and predict snow. Simultaneous measurements of optical extinction coefficient, radar reflectivity, and snow depth were made, together with determinations of visual range. The measurements verify both the calibration of the visibility instruments and the relationship between visual range and extinction coefficient. A relationship found between extinction coefficient and snowfall rate compares well with relationships found by other investigators. Radar reflectivity is found to be related to extinction coefficient, with the correlation being improved by time averaging and by allowance for velocity of snowflakes from the radar beam to the ground. However, the specification errors are of the order of + or - 42 percent to + or - 65 percent, and with the small spatial and temporal variability of extinction coefficient in snow, the radar is of marginal use where observations are available from the airways network. (Author).

Measurements of Visibility and Radar Reflectivity During Snowstorms in the AFGL Mesonet

Measurements of Visibility and Radar Reflectivity During Snowstorms in the AFGL Mesonet
Author: H. Stuart Muench
Publisher:
Total Pages: 33
Release: 1977
Genre: Mesometeorology
ISBN:

Field experiments were conducted with the AFGL Mesonet and FPS-77 digital radar during snowstorms for evaluation of the use of radar to observe and predict snow. Simultaneous measurements of optical extinction coefficient, radar reflectivity, and snow depth were made, together with determinations of visual range. The measurements verify both the calibration of the visibility instruments and the relationship between visual range and extinction coefficient. A relationship found between extinction coefficient and snowfall rate compares well with relationships found by other investigators. Radar reflectivity is found to be related to extinction coefficient, with the correlation being improved by time averaging and by allowance for velocity of snowflakes from the radar beam to the ground. However, the specification errors are of the order of + or - 42 percent to + or - 65 percent, and with the small spatial and temporal variability of extinction coefficient in snow, the radar is of marginal use where observations are available from the airways network. (Author).

Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports

Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 1008
Release: 1978
Genre: Aeronautics
ISBN:

Lists citations with abstracts for aerospace related reports obtained from world wide sources and announces documents that have recently been entered into the NASA Scientific and Technical Information Database.

Proceedings

Proceedings
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 290
Release: 1982
Genre: Aids to air navigation
ISBN: