Calibration of radar differential reflectivity using quasi-vertical profiles

Abstract. The differential reflectivity (ZDR) is a crucial weather radar measurement that helps to improve quantitative precipitation estimates using polarimetric weather radars. However, a system bias between the horizontal and vertical channels generated by the radar produces an offset in ZDR. Existing methods to calibrate ZDR measurements rely on vertical observations of ZDR taken in rain, in which ZDR values close to 0 dB are expected. However, not all weather radar systems are capable of producing vertical pointing measurements. In this work, we present and analyse a novel method for correcting and monitoring the ZDR offset using quasi-vertical profiles of polarimetric variables. The method is applied to radar data collected through one year of precipitation events by two operational C-band weather radars in the UK. The proposed method proves effective in achieving the required accuracy of 0.1 dB for the calibration of ZDR as the calibration results are consistent with the traditional method based on vertical profiles. Additionally, the method is independently evaluated using disdrometers located near the radar sites. The results showed a good agreement between disdrometer-derived and radar-calibrated ZDR measurements.