Rain drop sizes and rainfall rate measured by dual-polarization radar

A rapidly switched dual-polarization radar technique is used for the first time to obtain two-dimensional spatial distributions of the statistical characteristics of the sizes and concentration of rain drops in rain. These have been obtained using a high-resolution 10-cm wavelength radar, and the data have been used to estimate rainfall rates within small volumes to a much greater accuracy than is available from conventional radar measurements. The technique also gives a clear distinction between ice particles and rain drops.