Polarimetric studies of hydrometeors with the Delft Atmospheric Research Radar

Dual- or multipolarization radars have proven to be valuable tools for studying the microstructure of precipitation. They can contribute in a quantitative as well as qualitative way to a better understanding of the processes that take place in precipitation. One can think of the development of qualifiers for different types of hydrometeors or a better description of the drop size distribution. The knowledge gained can be used to calculate the propagation characteristics of the satellite path. The Delft Atmospheric Research Radar DARR is a coherent multipolarization FM-CW radar system, operating in the S-band. Since 1980 detailed studies based on the Doppler characteristics of precipitation have been performed. In 1986 DARR became available to do polarimetric studies as well. The authors describe the multi-polarization mode of DARR and discuss its potential with respect to the study of precipitation