ESS124
Prof.
Jin-Yi Yu
Doppler Radar
•Doppler radars can provide not only
precipitation information but also wind information (along the direction of radar beams).
•Doppler radars send out microwave signals
in a specific frequency,
which may be slightly shifted when the signals are scattered back due to the motion of
precipitation. (similar to the higher and lower pitching sounds we hear with an approaching or leaving train).
•The larger the precipitation motion (which
is due to wind blowing),
the larger the shift.
•Therefore, Doppler radars can use the
frequency shift information
to derive the motion of the precipitation (and wind information).