TU Delft Cloud radar data - LARA Slant Profiles

<strong>Description:</strong>Slant profiles of clouds and precipitation measured by 94 GHz cloud radar: W-band polarimetry and spectral polarimetry of precipitation, ice, and mixed-phase clouds.<br><br>This dataset contains slant profiles of clouds and precipitation observed using a dual-polarization frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) cloud radar located at the atmospheric site Lutjewad. The radar, developed by Radiometer Physics GmbH (RPG-FMCW94-DP type) and named Lutjewad Atmospheric RAdar (LARA), operates at 94 GHz. LARA is situated on a 10-meter-high platform. It employs simultaneous transmission and simultaneous reception (STSR) mode and its beamwidth is 0.56°. There is a rain/snow/fog mitigation system, comprising a dew blower and a heater which prevent the accumulation of liquid drops and ice on the hydrophobic antenna radomes, therefore mitigating attenuation caused by the presence of liquid water on the antennas.<br>Measurements are collected at a fixed elevation angle and constant azimuth. The default elevation angle is 45°. However, measurements at 30° elevation angle are also carried out. LARA includes an embedded passive channel at 89 GHz, enabling Liquid Water Path (LWP) retrieval using the same receiving antenna. Additionally, it is coupled with a HATPRO G5 microwave radiometer (LARIO), providing collocated radiometric measurements at the same temporal resolution. A built-in weather station also records ground-level meteorological conditions.<br>This dataset is part of a broader collection from the Department of Geoscience and Remote Sensing (GRS) at TU Delft, published within the Ruisdael Observatory framework (https://ruisdael-observatory.nl/). This dataset will continue to be updated over time while the cloud radar remains operational.<br><strong>List of variables:</strong>* sensor and site parameters* measurement specifications* processing specifications* weather station measurements* LWP in the looking direction of the cloud radar * profiles of temperature, absolute and relative humidity (LARIO)* Doppler spectra (HH and VV) and covariance spectrum (LV0 files)* Equivalent reflectivity factor (LV1 files)* Doppler variables (LV1 files)* Polarimetric variables (LV1 files)<br><strong>Relevance:</strong>The dataset "W-band polarimetry and spectral polarimetry of precipitation, ice, and mixed-phase clouds" provides valuable insights into the microphysical and scattering properties of clouds and precipitation. By exploiting W-band (94 GHz) polarimetric and spectral measurements, it allows detailed characterization of particle shape, size distribution, and phase composition within clouds. This information is particularly relevant for distinguishing between ice, liquid, and mixed-phase hydrometeors, as well as for identifying aggregation, riming, and melting processes. The dataset is important for advancing radar remote sensing techniques, improving microphysical parameterizations in weather and climate models, and enhancing satellite retrieval algorithms for cloud and precipitation observations.