Search

The nature of the causes of prerequisites for flight accidents due to meteorological conditions has remained unchanged for many years. For the effective operation of aviation, it is necessary to solve the issues of the timely detection of weather hazards and the identification of their intensity. This article discusses the research into the atmospheric reflectivity and turbulence in cumulonimbus clouds using a near-field meteorological radar system. Experimental studies are carried out with the aim of obtaining estimates of statistical characteristics of the reflectivity distribution and turbulence for weather hazards. The methodology for conducting an experimental study to obtain information about the weather hazards (rain shower, thunderstorm and hail), special features of the radar reflectivity propagation and the specific rate of turbulent energy dissipation in the considered conditions for the Tver region is presented. The analysis of the obtained results has been carried out: comparisons of meteorological data derived, using the meteorological radar complex of the near airfield zone (WR BZ), with the reliable sources of meteorological observation data obtained during experimental studies. Studies of horizontal sections and vertical profiles of the weather hazards parameters under consideration, associated with the cumulonimbus area, have been carried out. A data bank has been formed. Histograms of the information parameter distribution have been constructed. The article considers the results of experimental data approximation, using the χ2 criterion for various distribution laws. It is shown that the distributions of reflectivity and turbulence can be described by the generalized Rice’s law. The results obtained can be used to correct the classification criteria of weather hazards to subsequently increase the justification and reliability of the weather hazard classification. The further development of the method to process meteorological information is also of paramount importance to more correctly interpretate experimental data processing results of remote meteorological phenomena sensing.

The increasing need to obtain data on the meteorological situation to ensure the safety of aircraft flight actualizes the development of radar systems for remote collection and processing of information, including for solving the problems of classifying dangerous weather phenomena. This determined the primary development of the domestic weather radar complex of the near airfield zone (WR BZ). The article presents the features of the construction of the WR BZ, as well as the main tasks it solves. To classify meteorological phenomena from cloudiness to squall in the weather radar complex of the near airfield zone, it is proposed to take as a basis the criteria tested by weather radar stations of previous generations. These criteria are based on an analysis of the height distribution of reflectivity, taking into account the vertical temperature profile. In addition, a criterion for classifying thunderstorms in the cold period of time has been additionally introduced in the WR BZ. To calibrate the values of the criteria, a mathematical apparatus and special software were developed. To collect statistical data, WR BZ were installed in various climatic regions: the Central and North-Western Federal Districts and the Republic of Crimea. Further, an effective validation of the information received was carried out. At present, WR BZ has passed preliminary, acceptance, certification tests, trial operation, while demonstrating an effective classification of meteorological phenomena, thanks to the correct selection of decision criteria. The article considers the possibility of increasing the reliability and justification of the classification of dangerous meteorological phenomena through the additional use of information on the distribution of altitudes of the specific rate of dissipation of turbulent energy of the atmosphere, as well as an additional set of statistical data in various climatic zones of the European territory of Russia – the Upper Volga Region and the Krasnodar Region.