GEOG 5035 - Introduction to Meteorological Radar Systems, Observations, and Techniques

This course will provide an introduction to standard and dual-polarization weather radar systems, interpretation of data collected from such systems, and application techniques utilized for various meteorological purposes. Topics covered will include: 1) basic components of a radar system, atmospheric electromagnetic wave propagation, 2) conditions leading to abnormal wave propagation, 3) retrieval of radar reflectivity and Doppler velocity measurements, 4) observational properties of meteorological targets including clouds, rain, hail, snow, and tornadoes, 5) discrimination between meteorological and non-meteorological returns, and 6) applications of radar data including velocity azimuth displays, dual-Doppler wind retrievals, hydrometeor classification, and rainfall measurements.

Requisites:
Credit Hours: 3.0 lecture, 1.0 research
Repeat/Retake Information: May not be retaken.
Lecture/Lab Hours: 3.0 lecture, 1.0 research
Grades: Eligible Grades: A-F,WP,WF,WN,FN,AU,I
Learning Outcomes:

Analyze weather radar images from a diverse set of weather events using single and dual-polarization radar variables.
Apply radar principles to a variety of techniques used to analyze radar observations.
Explain physically and quantitatively how radar variables (reflectivity, Doppler velocity, cross-correlation coefficient, differential reflectivity, and specific differential phase) are calculated from the radar transmission.
Explain what happens to electromagnetic energy from the time the wave leaves the radar to the time energy is returned from a point target or from distributed targets.
Identify and describe the primary components of a meteorological radar system.