By

• Main Authors: Using A Multi-instrument Approach, Claire Pettersen
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: Greenland
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.688.1523; http://www.aos.wisc.edu/uwaosjournal/Volume23/Pettersen_MS.pdf

Ground-based microwave radiometers are commonly used to retrieve precipitable water vapor and liquid water path. These retrievals, however, may be adversely affected by ice hydrometeors commonly observed in mixed phase clouds. Research on the effect of ice hydrometeors on the microwave signal is insufficient. We establish that ice hydrometeors produce enhanced brightness temperatures in high frequency ground-based passive microwave observations. This effect is evident in several years of summer season microwave radiometer data collected at Summit Station, Greenland. Using a multi-instrument suite and coupling measurements with well-established gas and liquid absorption models, we can quantify the ice hydrometeor signature. Better knowledge of these ice effects on the passive microwave observations aids in improvement of retrieved properties, such as liquid water path, when ice is present in the column. Additionally, the use of the active cloud radar guides what regimes exhibit predominately ice precipitation. By clearly identifying the ice signature in the high frequency microwave, we have established a standard by which to compare ice habit models and particle size distributions. ii