Ebook: Radar Meteorology

As we all know, weather radar came into existence during the Second World War when aircraft detection radars had their vision limited by echoes from rain bearing clouds. What was often considered to be of nuisance value by the air force personnel trying to locate enemy aircraft was seen as an opportunity by the weather men. Thus adversity in one field was converted into an opportunity in another. Since then weather radar has found myriad applications with the increased sophistication of technology and processing systems. It has now become an indispensable tool for the operational forecasters, cloud physicists and atmospheric scientists. The current generation radar is but a distant echo of the radars of the 1940s. As a result, its operation and maintenance have become very complex, like the technology it uses. Therefore, there is a definite requirement of focussing our special attention not only on the science of radar meteorology but also on its operational aspects. The present book, as pointed out by the author, attempts to fill this gap. The author has presented the subject with a balanced blend of science, technology and practice. The canvas is indeed very broad. Starting with the history of weather radar development the book goes on to discuss in a lucid style the physics of the atmosphere related to radar observation, radar technology, echo interpretation, different applications and finally attempts to look into the future to indicate potential new opportunities in this field.

---

This book covers the entire range of developments in the operational and research use of RADAR for meteorological applications, such as aviation, precipitation measurement and hydrology, tropical cyclone observation and forecasting and wind profiling.
The book emphasises the operational aspects of Radar Meteorology. It also traces the evolution of the subject including older technologies still in use in some countries, which will help students assimilate the basic principles.
A unique feature of the book is a detailed treatment of tropical cyclones as observed by radar, a topic of great interest in tropical countries. Another feature is the extensive bibliography on each topic to assist the interested reader to pursue the subject.
This book is suitable as a text or reference book for professional radar meteorologists, professional training courses for personnel of meteorological services, and for university courses in atmospheric science and meteorology.