Sensitivity of the retrieval of stratocumulus cloud liquid water and precipitation flux to Doppler radar parameters

Doppler radar observations of stratocumulus clouds were synthesized under the controlled framework of the Observing System Simulation Experiments (OSSEs). Cloud radar parameters, such as radar reflectivity, Doppler mean velocity and Doppler spectrum width, were obtained from simulations generated by a high-resolution CIMMS LES model with eXplicit MicroPhysics (CIMMS LES XMP). The CIMMS LES XMP has been calibrated against reality and has a solid performance history.

Based on performed OSSEs we quantitatively evaluate the contribution of various Doppler radar parameters to the improvement of retrievals of cloud liquid water and precipitation flux in stratocumulus clouds.

Performance of the formulation of cloud retrievals based on the radar reflectivity and mean Doppler velocity was contrasted with retrievals based on the radar reflectivity and Doppler spectrum width. The dependence of retrievals on drizzle intensity has been investigated. The sensitivity of various formulations of the retrievals to the air turbulence component of the velocity and width parameters was also evaluated.