Development of Verification System for Snowfall Remote Sensing

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Radar rain gages, which are able to obtain the information on the spatial and temporal distribution of rain and snowfall, have been installed all over Japan. It is difficult to observe snowfall rate quantitatively because of the widerange variation of the characteristics of snow particles. This report aimed at developing a method of quantitative observation of snowfall using the radar system. The following conclusion can be drawn :(a) The new Ka-band radar system was developed. It provided the information on the polarization characteristics of snow particles. The results of obsevations by using this system showed that the differential reflectivity ZDR was effective for classification into snowflake and graupel.(b) The relationship between the radar reflectivity and the snowfall intensity were identified by measuring a set of values of the size distribution, the falling velocity, and precipitation rate at the ground by using CCD camera and the image processing method.(c) Velocity measurements by using the CCD camera showed that the doppler radar was also effective for clasification of snow particles.(d) Snowfall intensity was estimated quantitatively by measuring the radar reflectivity and falling velocity using the X-band doppler radar if the snow particles are classified.