Verification and correction of cloud base and top height retrievals from Ka-band cloud radar in Boseong, Korea

Abstract

In this study, cloud base height (CBH) and cloud top height (CTH) observed by the Ka-band (33.44 GHz) cloud radar at the Boseong National Center for Intensive Observation of Severe Weather during fall 2013 (September–November) were verified and corrected. For comparative verification, CBH and CTH were obtained using a ceilometer (CL51) and the Communication, Ocean and Meteorological Satellite (COMS). During rainfall, the CBH and CTH observed by the cloud radar were lower than observed by the ceilometer and COMS because of signal attenuation due to raindrops, and this difference increased with rainfall intensity. During dry periods, however, the CBH and CTH observed by the cloud radar, ceilometer, and COMS were similar. Thin and low-density clouds were observed more effectively by the cloud radar compared with the ceilometer and COMS. In cases of rainfall or missing cloud radar data, the ceilometer and COMS data were proven effective in correcting or compensating the cloud radar data. These corrected cloud data were used to classify cloud types, which revealed that low clouds occurred most frequently.