Radar echoes from atmospheric inhomogeneities

✍ Scribed by R. F. Jones

• Book ID: 104572141
• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1958
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 414 KB
• Volume: 84
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0035-9009
• DOI: 10.1002/qj.49708436211

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

The possibility that radar echoes from atmospheric inhomogeneities are the explanation of echoes received in conditions which make it certain they are not received from precipitation elements (‘angel’ echoes) is examined quantitatively. It is shown that such an explanation is theoretically possible but that the required refractive index changes are large, involving changes of a few mb in vapour pressure and/or a few degrees C in temperature in a distance of about 25 cm. Reflection of the main or side‐lobe energy at a limited quasi‐horizontal surface is shown to give the most likely meteorological explanation, but the inability to measure changes of refractive index in the free atmosphere to the required accuracy prevents positive confirmation.