Using Dual-Polarization Radar Products for the Study of Winter Weather Precipitation Types

The study analyzed radar data for several winter storms that occurred in the Mid-South of the United States. Observed data of winter weather were collected at four different locations in Memphis Weather Forecast Office area of responsibility. The observed data are the surface temperature in Celsius degree and the precipitation type. Also radar data were collected using the Dual-Polarization Radar located at Millington, Tennessee. The radar products available are the Base Reflectivity, Differential Reflectivity, Correlation Coefficient and Hydrometeor Classification. Several charts were created to study the relationships between the radar products and the observed precipitation types. The Base Reflectivity does not show a strong indication of different precipitation types other than drizzle is much lighter than the other precipitation types. For the Differential Reflectivity a relationship for rain is not clearly established. The Hydrometeor Classification Algorithm shows that is better in the determination of rain and snow than other precipitation types.