Synergetic Cloud Observations with Cloud Radar and Satellite Instruments

Abstract

Since December 2011 there are continuous measurements of a Mira-36 cloud radar located at Schneefernerhaus on top of Germany's highest mountain, the Zugspitze. The aim of this thesis is to acquire a better knowledge about the measurements of this radar. For that, statistics over four years have been made. The reflectivities and the Doppler velocities are analysed as well as the cloud fraction, the cloud properties and some special vertical movements. An algorithm is developed to get the mean diameter of the cloud particles and the Ice Water Content (IWC). Further more the cloud top of the Mira-36 radar is compared to the Caliop lidar on the satellite Calipso. The reflectivities and the cloud properties are compared to the Cloud Profiling Radar on the satellite CloudSat. As well as a comparison between different Ice Water Path (IWP) algorithms of the Mira-36 radar to the DLR APICS algorithm of Meteosat SEVIRI have been made, too. Half of the time clouds were above the radar and the Doppler velocities are Gaussian distributed. The comparisons to Calipso's cloud top is very good, when the same cloud is detected. The best radius for the CloudSat data is 100km around Schneefernerhaus to compare it with the Mira-36 radar and the data match reasonably well. The Mira-36 radar might be about 0:5dBZ higher than CloudSat. The IWP algorithms of Mira-36 and Meteosat SEVIRI harmonize well, too. In winter time even better than in summer time. With this study the Mira-36 radar at this special place, on top of a mountain, is now better understood.