Software HydroClass

A conventional weather radar transmits and receives only a single polarization (usually horizontal). State-of-the-art dual polarization radars transmit and receive both horizontal and vertical polarization. The HydroClass™ (Hydrometeor Classifi cation) software makes optimal use of these dual-channel measurements to deduce the types of scatterers present in the atmosphere, such as rain, hail, snow, graupel and even non-meteorological targets such as insects, chaff and sea clutter. In addition to the improvements in precipitation estimation that are achieved with a dual-polarization radar, the ability to deduce and map the types of scatterers greatly enhances the power of a dual-polarization radar for applications such as:

Hail detection
Lightning hazard potential forecasting
Highway snow removal
Airport terminal operation
Rain/snow line demarcation
Melting height detection
Weather modifi cation for hail mitigation
Insurance industry claims verifi cation
Military detection of chaff
Data quality improvement by elimination of non-meteorological targets
Improved precipitation forecasting
Hydrological modeling

With HydroClass™ the full potential of dual-polarization radar is realized.