Polarimetric Method for Ice Water Content Determination

Abstract

Two variants of a polarimetric method to determine ice water content are presented. One uses specific differential phase and differential reflectivity and the other uses specific differential phase; both quantities are for a 10-cm wavelength. Theoretical considerations indicate that these polarimetric methods are suited for pristine ice crystals. Ice water content of lightly to moderately aggregated crystals might also be estimated. Verification of the proposed method is made using in situ data collected by the T-28 instrumented aircraft. Comparison with two estimators that use the reflectivity factor suggests that the polarimetric methods are better and can quantify correctly ice water content in the range above 0.1 g m−3.