The use of dual-polarisation techniques for bright-band detection with PPI-based radars

An algorithm to detect the bright-band has been presented. Utilising the properties of polarisation-diversity radar measurements in the melting-layer, this algorithm has the advantages that it does not require the radar to scan in full-volume mode; a normal PPI scan being sufficient. The consequence of being able to detect the bright-band with this simple algorithm gives rise to the potential application of polarisation-diversity radar in the areas of meteorology and hydrology. Particularly, as many newly installed weather radars across the European countries are polarisation-diversity systems, this algorithm can improve the quality of rainfall estimates by reducing the effects of the bright-band. However, further work is still needed, since this algorithm is developed using an S-band radar, whereas the newly installed systems are mostly at C-band