Error Estimation in Wind Fields Derived from Dual-Doppler Radar and Data Quality Control

The method for quality control of dual-Doppler radar reflectivity, radial velocity and azimuthal location is introduced. The reflectivity correction approach with probability distribution method is presented. The two dual-Doppler radar systems in Hefei and Ma’anshan, Anhui Province, Yichang and Jiangzhou, Hubei Province, were used to observe the wind structure of the precipitation systems in the China Heavy Rainfall Experiment and Study in 2001. The reflectivities and radial velocities from the dual-Doppler radar are compared and the effect of azimuth location on dual-Doppler radar data is analyzed. The errors of wind derived from the two Doppler radar systems are estimated. The results show that the patterns of reflectivity and radial velocity measured by the Doppler radar systems are similar; but the values of reflectivity measured at Hefei and Ma’anshan are obviously different; the deviation of velocity measured by the two radars is 1-2 m/s. The error of wind derived from dual-Doppler radar is relative to wind direction, speed and position. The error is within 2 times of the measurement error of radial velocity in the area where the angle between the two radial velocities is in 40o-140 o. These results are valuable for the use of the dual-Doppler radar data and the observation by dual-Doppler radar.