Identification of Convective and Stratiform Clouds Based on the Improved DBSCAN Clustering Algorithm

A convective and stratiform cloud classification method for weather radar is proposed based on the density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise(DBSCAN)algorithm.To identify convective and stratiform clouds in different developmental phases,two-dimensional(2D)and three-dimensional(3D)models are proposed by applying reflectivity factors at 0.5°and at 0.5°,1.5°,and 2.4°elevation angles,respectively.According to the thresholds of the algorithm,which include echo intensity,the echo top height of 35 dBZ(ET),density threshold,andεneighborhood,cloud clusters can be marked into four types:deep-convective cloud(DCC),shallow-convective cloud(SCC),hybrid convective-stratiform cloud(HCS),and stratiform cloud(SFC)types.Each cloud cluster type is further identified as a core area and boundary area,which can provide more abundant cloud structure information.The algorithm is verified using the volume scan data observed with new-generation S-band weather radars in Nanjing,Xuzhou,and Qingdao.The results show that cloud clusters can be intuitively identified as core and boundary points,which change in area continuously during the process of convective evolution,by the improved DBSCAN algorithm.Therefore,the occurrence and disappearance of convective weather can be estimated in advance by observing the changes of the classification.Because density thresholds are different and multiple elevations are utilized in the 3D model,the identified echo types and areas are dissimilar between the 2D and 3D models.The 3D model identifies larger convective and stratiform clouds than the 2D model.However,the developing convective clouds of small areas at lower heights cannot be identified with the 3D model because they are covered by thick stratiform clouds.In addition,the 3D model can avoid the influence of the melting layer and better suggest convective clouds in the developmental stage.

Computer Identification of Multispectral Satellite Cloud Imagery

A dynamic clustering method based on multispectral satellite imagery to identify the different features is described. The channel combinations selected are for the different purposes in classification. Several cases are presented using the polar-orbiting satellite imageries.

Estimation of Cloud Motion Using Cross-Correlation

This paper describes the estimation of cloud motion using lag cross-correlation. In order to compute the lag cross correlation, the Bayes Decision method is used first to identify cloud and surface of earth. Then cloud motion vectors are retrieved at a subset of points through multiple applications of a cross-correlation analysis. An objective analysis is used to define displacement at every satellite pixel throughout the domain and smooth the local inconsistencies. Cloud motions are then produced with a backward trajectory technique by using these displacement vectors.

Cloud type identification for a landfalling typhoon based on millimeter-wave radar range-height-indicator data

As a basic property of cloud,accurate identification of cloud type is useful in forecasting the evolution of landfalling typhoons.Millimeter-wave cloud radar is an important means of identifying cloud type.Here,we develop a fuzzy logic algorithm that depends on radar range-height-indicator(RHI)data and takes into account the fundamental physical features of different cloud types.The algorithm is applied to a ground-based Ka-band millimeter-wave cloud radar.The input parameters of the algorithm include average reflectivity factor intensity,ellipse long axis orientation,cloud base height,cloud thickness,presence/absence of precipitation,ratio of horizontal extent to vertical extent,maximum echo intensity,and standard variance of intensities.The identified cloud types are stratus(St),stratocumulus(Sc),cumulus(Cu),cumulonimbus(Cb),nimbostratus(Ns),altostratus(As),altocumulus(Ac)and high cloud.The cloud types identified using the algorithm are in good agreement with those identified by a human observer.As a case study,the algorithm was applied to typhoon Khanun(1720),which made landfall in south-eastern China in October 2017.Sequential identification results from the algorithm clearly reflected changes in cloud type and provided indicative information for forecasting of the typhoon.