1. Introduction
“Characteristics and Near-Alert of C-Band Doppler Weather Radar” is a professional book edited by Yang Shuhua, with Zhao Guixiang and Miao Aimei as deputy editors, published by the Meteorological Press in September 2018. This book systematically elaborates on the applications of C-band Doppler weather radar in monitoring, forecasting, and near-alerting for severe convective weather, analyzing radar echo characteristics and their application value in hazardous weather through practical cases.
2. Content Overview
The book is divided into 9 chapters, comprehensively introducing the scanning methods of C-band Doppler weather radar, commonly used product characteristics, radar location determination methods, additional features (such as the “V” shape gap) analysis, detection capabilities, hail characteristic statistical analysis, the application of radial velocity in short-term near-alert forecasting, strong snowfall weather radar characteristic analysis, and the comprehensive application analysis of Doppler radar and satellite cloud images.
3. Core Chapter Content
Chapter 1: Scanning Methods of C-Band Doppler Weather Radar
This chapter introduces two scanning modes of C-band Doppler weather radar: precipitation mode (VCP11 and VCP21) along with their corresponding elevation angles and scanning times. It also explains the three display methods of Doppler weather radar products: PPI (Plan Position Indicator), RHI (Range Height Indicator), and VOL (Volume Scan).
Chapter 2: Introduction to Common Products of C-Band Doppler Weather Radar
This chapter provides a detailed introduction to 15 commonly used radar products, including reflectivity factor, average radial velocity, composite reflectivity factor, echo top, and vertically integrated liquid water content, analyzing their considerations in operational applications.
Chapter 3: Determining the Location of Doppler Weather Radar
This chapter discusses how to determine the radar location through special radar areas (such as the quiet cone area) and the characteristics of the horizontal coordinates in profile diagrams, while pointing out common misconceptions in operational applications.
Chapter 4: Characteristics of the “V” Shape Gap
This chapter analyzes the selection principles and statistical characteristics of the “V” shape gap, illustrating its formation, development, and dissipation processes through practical cases.
Chapter 5: Analysis of the Detection Capabilities of C-Band Doppler Weather Radar
This chapter explores the detection capabilities of C-band Doppler weather radar for frontal systems, low-level jet streams, inflow jet streams, large-scale shear lines, and meso- and small-scale weather systems, with analyses based on practical cases.
Chapter 6: Analysis of Hail Characteristics in C-Band Weather Radar
This chapter statistically analyzes the basic reflectivity characteristics of hail clouds, low-level average radial velocity characteristics, three-body scattering characteristics, and vertical liquid water content characteristics, discussing the characteristics of hail index products.
Chapter 7: Application Analysis of Radar Radial Velocity in Short-Term Near-Alert Forecasting
This chapter analyzes the application of Doppler weather radar radial velocity in short-term near-alert forecasting, categorizing meso- and small-scale systems into 8 types and providing detailed analyses based on practical cases.
Chapter 8: Analysis of Doppler Radar Characteristics in Strong Snowfall Weather
This chapter provides a detailed analysis of the Doppler radar characteristics in strong snowfall weather, including reflectivity factor characteristics, echo top characteristics, and radial velocity field characteristics, summarizing analyses of 8 strong snowfall events from 2009 to 2015.
Chapter 9: Comprehensive Application Analysis of Doppler Radar and Satellite Cloud Images
This chapter discusses the comprehensive application of Doppler radar and satellite cloud images, analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of both, and illustrating how to effectively combine their applications through practical cases.
4. Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Scanning Methods of C-Band Doppler Weather Radar
1. Volume Scan Definition
1.2 Display Methods of Doppler Weather Radar Products
Chapter 2: Introduction to Common Products of C-Band Doppler Weather Radar
2.1 Reflectivity Factor
2.2 Average Radial Velocity
2.3 Velocity Azimuth Display Wind Profile Product (VWP)
2.4 Echo Top
2.5 Composite Reflectivity Factor
2.6 Vertically Integrated Liquid Water Content (VIL)
2.7 Storm Tracking Information (STI)
2.8 Precipitation Products
2.9 Mesocyclone
2.10 Vertical Profile
2.11 Typical Case Analysis – Analyzing the Maintenance Mechanism of Supercell Storms
Chapter 3: Determining the Location of Doppler Weather Radar
3.1 Determining Based on Radar Special Areas – Quiet Cone Area
3.2 Determining Based on Profile Diagram Horizontal Coordinate Characteristics
3.3 Typical Case Analysis – Severe Convection on June 27, 2008
3.4 Typical Case Analysis – Squall Line Wind on June 16, 2010
3.5 Case Analysis – Comparison of Two Severe Convection Events in Northern Shanxi
Chapter 4: Characteristics of the “V” Shape Gap
4.1 Principles for Selecting the “V” Shape Gap
4.2 Statistical Characteristics of the “V” Shape Gap
4.3 Typical Case Analysis – Severe Convection on June 4, 2013
4.4 Typical Case Analysis – Severe Convection on July 4, 2015
4.5 Chapter Summary
Chapter 5: Analysis of the Detection Capabilities of C-Band Doppler Weather Radar
5.1 Detection Capabilities for Frontal Systems
5.2 Detection Capabilities for Low-Level Jet Streams
5.3 Detection Capabilities for Inflow Jet Streams
5.4 Detection Capabilities for Large-Scale Shear Lines
5.5 Detection Capabilities for Meso- and Small-Scale Weather Systems
5.6 Typical Case Analysis – Squall Line in North China on June 13, 2016
5.7 Typical Case Analysis – Severe Convection on September 1, 2014
5.8 Typical Case Analysis – Squall Line in Southern Shanxi on July 29, 2014
Chapter 6: Analysis of Hail Characteristics in C-Band Weather Radar
6.1 Basic Reflectivity and Echo Top Characteristics of Hail Clouds
6.2 Low-Level Average Radial Velocity Characteristics of Hail Clouds
6.3 Three-Body Scattering Characteristics
6.4 Vertical Liquid Water Content (VIL) Characteristics of Hail Clouds
6.5 Wind Profile Product (VWP) Characteristics
6.6 Mesocyclone Product (M) Characteristics
6.7 Hail Index (HI) Product Characteristics
6.8 Vertical Profile Characteristics of Hail Cloud Reflectivity
6.9 Vertical Profile Characteristics of Hail Cloud Radial Velocity
6.10 Chapter Summary
Chapter 7: Application Analysis of Radar Radial Velocity in Short-Term Near-Alert Forecasting
7.1 Considerations for Applying Radial Velocity
7.2 Types of Meso- and Small-Scale Systems
7.3 Backwind Area Type
7.4 Meso-Cyclone Type
7.5 Meso- and Small-Scale Southwest Jet Type
7.6 Northwest Flow + Meso-Scale Convergence Line Type
7.7 Southwest Flow + Northwest Flow + Meso-Scale Convergence Line Type
7.8 Meso-Scale Convergence Line Sustained Type
7.9 Northwest Flow Rear + Southwest Jet Type
7.10 Cyclonic Convergence Line Type
7.11 Chapter Summary
Chapter 8: Analysis of Doppler Radar Characteristics in Strong Snowfall Weather
8.1 Reflectivity Factor Characteristics
8.2 Echo Top Characteristics
8.3 Radial Velocity Field Characteristics
8.4 Determining Low-Level Jet Streams Based on Radial Velocity
8.5 Determining Backwind Areas Based on Radial Velocity
8.6 Determining Mid-High Level Warm Moist Jet Streams Based on Radial Velocity
8.7 Typical Case Analysis – Strong Snowfall on November 9, 2009
8.8 Typical Case Analysis – Blizzard in Northern Shanxi on April 1, 2011
Chapter 9: Comprehensive Application Analysis of Doppler Radar and Satellite Cloud Images
9.1 Case Analysis – Dry Intrusion Characteristics on July 10, 2010
9.2 Case Analysis – Tornado Process on August 7, 2015
9.3 Case Analysis – Strong Convection in Autumn on September 12, 2013
9.4 Satellite Cloud Image Characteristic Analysis
9.5 Doppler Weather Radar Characteristic Analysis
9.6 Case Summary
5. Practical Application Value
This book combines a large number of practical cases to analyze in detail the application of C-band Doppler weather radar in monitoring and forecasting severe convective weather, hail, strong snowfall, and other hazardous weather. By deeply exploring the relationship between radar echo characteristics and weather phenomena, it provides valuable reference for meteorological forecasters, helping to improve the accuracy and timeliness of short-term near-alert forecasts.
6. Conclusion
“Characteristics and Near-Alert of C-Band Doppler Weather Radar” is a professional book that combines theory and practice, suitable for researchers, forecasters, and students in the meteorological field to read and reference. The rich case analyses and detailed product introductions in the book provide great assistance for readers to deeply understand and apply C-band Doppler weather radar technology.