The Potential of a Spaceborne Cloud Radar for the Detection of Stratocumulus Clouds

Abstract The radar reflectivity and liquid water content of stratocumulus clouds have been computed from cloud droplet spectra recorded during more than 4000 km of cloud penetrations by an aircraft, and the probability of detecting various values of liquid water content as a function of the radar sensitivity threshold has been derived. The goal of the study is to specify the sensitivity required for any future spaceborne cloud radar. In extensive marine stratocumulus deeper than about 200 m, occasional but ubiquitous drizzle-sized droplets of up to 200 μm dominate the radar return and increase it by between 10 and 20 dB above the cloud droplet contribution to the return, making radar detection easier, although the concentration of the drizzle drops is so low that they have no effect on the liquid water content or effective radius. These occasional drizzle-sized droplets are present throughout the vertical and horizontal extent of such clouds but should evaporate within 200 m of cloud base. On occasion, the drizzle can fall farther and may yield a false measurement of cloud-base altitude, but such cases can be recognized by examining the vertical profile of reflectivity. A radar sensitivity threshold of −30 dBZ would detect 80%, 85%, and 90% of the marine stratocumulus, with a liquid water content above 0.025, 0.05, and 0.075 g m−3, respectively. Because nonprecipitating drizzle droplets are rare in continental stratocumulus, the equivalent figures are reduced to 38%, 33%, and 25%. Improving the sensitivity to −40 dBZ increases detection probability to nearly 100% for both types of cloud. These figures are based on the assumption that the cloud is deep enough to fill the radar pulse volume.