Radiometric Observations of Liquid Water in Thunderstorm Cells

Abstract

An estimate of the integrated liquid water content along radio rays passing through a thunderstorm has been made by using the thermal emission from the storm at 10.7 GHz. The radiometric data, together with supplementary radar, radiosonde, and surface meteorological data are used to determine absorption in the storm, which in turn is used to determine the liquid water content. The results of the technique are illustrated by contour diagrams showing liquid water content of a small storm system and its changes over a period of 2 hr.