TOSCA: Development of an optimal estimation technique to profile snowing and thick ice clouds by exploiting a suite of active and passive microwave (PHW) sensors in two configurations by coupling detailed microphysical and electromagnetic models of ice cl

鉴于数值预报和气候模式中冰冻水流星预报的巨大不确定性，在中高纬度有厚冰和多雪的情况下可靠地监测冰水含量是气象界的一个重要目标。遥感检索是适用于这一目的的唯一手段，因为直接观测，例如飞机观测，只能提供极其有限的空间和时间范围的快照。此外，在这种条件下飞行的危险是取回有用数量的样品的禁忌。我们建议建立一个基于最优估计的算法原型，用于描述降雪和厚冰云的特征，该算法基于非球形冰晶的单次散射(SS)计算数据库以及基于活动观测和PMW观测的研究。原型算法将应用于卫星A-Train星座2和位于UmWeltforschungsStation Schnefernerhaus(UFS)的一套地面仪器，目的是恢复IWC的概况，并在可能的情况下，恢复特定环境条件下的平均大小和类型(习惯)。我们的结果将为评估冷云微物理方案提供一个史无前例的试验台，并将显著提高对中纬度冬季降水系统微物理特征和相关MW信号的理解。

Given the enormous uncertainties in the prediction of frozen hydrometeors in NWP and climate models, reliable monitoring of ice water content (IWC) in the presence of thick ice and snowy conditions at mid and high latitudes is an important goal of the meteorological community. Remote sensing retrievals are the only means suited for this purpose because direct observations, e.g. by airplane, can only deliver snapshots of extremely limited spatial and temporal extent. Moreover, hazards in flying in such conditions are prohibitive for the retrieval of samples of useful quantities. We propose to build a prototype of an optimal-estimation based algorithm for the characterization of snowing and thick ice clouds based on a database of single scattering (SS) computations for non-spherical ice crystals and on studies based on active and PMW observations. The prototype algorithm will be applied to the satellite A-Train constellation2 and to a ground-based suite of instruments located at Umweltforschungsstation Schneefernerhaus (UFS) with the goal of retrieving IWC profiles, and, when possible, mean size and type (habit) for given environmental conditions. Our results will gather an unprecedented test-bed for evaluating cold cloud microphysical schemes and will significantly improve the understanding of the microphysical characteristics of mid-latitude winterly precipitation systems and of related MW signatures.