Calibration of NCAR ELDORA reflectivity factor using attenuation corrections

The X-band NCAR ELDORA radar is subject to significant attenuation through intense precipitation. Therefore, the reflectivity factor in the rear of the storm is usually not accurate. Using the stereo-type radar technique, Oury et al. (2000) show that the reflectivity factor can be corrected. In the mean time, if the dropsize distribution is known, the absolute reflectivity factor calibration can also be obtained using the same procedure.

This paper presents the results of attenuation corrected reflectivity on a VORTEX squall line. The corrected reflectivity factor agrees well with the kinematic field especially in the rear and upper half of the squall line. The result also shows that the ELDORA reflectivity factor is calibrated within 1 dB during VORTEX.