학술논문

Image muting of mixed precipitation to improve identification of regions of heavy snow in radar data
Document Type
article
Source
Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, Vol 15, Pp 5515-5525 (2022)
Subject
Environmental engineering
TA170-171
Earthwork. Foundations
TA715-787
Language
English
ISSN
1867-1381
1867-8548
Abstract
In winter storms, enhanced radar reflectivity is often associated with heavy snow. However, some higher reflectivities are the result of mixed precipitation including melting snow. The correlation coefficient (a dual-polarization radar variable) can identify regions of mixed precipitation, but this information is usually presented separately from reflectivity. Especially under time pressure, radar data users can mistake regions of mixed precipitation for heavy snow because of the high cognitive load associated with comparing data in two fields while simultaneously attempting to discount a portion of the high reflectivity values. We developed an image muting method for regional radar maps that visually de-emphasizes the high reflectivity values associated with mixed precipitation. These image muted depictions of winter storm precipitation structures are useful for analyzing regions of heavy snow and monitoring real-time weather conditions.