Cloud Microphysics and Radar

Radar meteorology is the discipline of trying to use back-scattered electromagnetic radiation to gain information about the state of the atmosphere, especially with respect to clouds and precipitation. To interpret the returned signal, atmospheric scientists only have the four fundamental properties of electromagnetic waves at their disposal: amplitude, phase, frequency, and polarization. While a complete characterization of the atmosphere from these four parameters will generally be impossible, the goal of meteorological remote sensing is to describe as fully as possible the essential features using the information available.