Cloud Radars - Introduction

• The 88-D transmits energy at a wavelength of about 10 cm.  
• At this wavelength, the radar is seeing mostly precipitation particles.
• Cloud droplets are hard to see at 10 cm.
• K-band radars have much smaller wavelengths (8 mm), making them much more sensitive.
• Accordingly, K-band radars can observe non-precipitating and weakly precipitating clouds quite well.

• ETL has developed a Ka-band (8.7-mm wavelength) system designed primarily for observations of non-precipitating and weakly precipitating clouds.
• By virtue of its short wavelength, it has excellent sensitivity to very small hydrometeors and is insensitive to ground clutter.
• The radar has been used extensively for research of the radiative effects of clouds for climate change programs and for observations of winter storms.