EVCK

EarthCARE validation at CAPE-K

1 October 2024 - 30 September 2025

Lead Scientist: Matthew Lebsock

Observatory: AMF

The EarthCARE validation at CAPE-k (EVCK) campaign will deploy the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) CloudCube G-band radar to the Cloud And Precipitation Experiment at Kennaook (CAPE-k) for approximately one year. The CloudCube’s 239 GHz Doppler-spectral cloud radar is both synergistic and complementary to the ARM radars in three regards:

1. The CloudCube radar can detect the lowest 200m of the atmosphere. This is accomplished through use of the Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar architecture which has a minimal blind zone.

2. The JPL CloudCube radar provides precise air velocity measurements. This is accomplished through analysis of the Mie-notches in the very high frequency 239 GHz Doppler spectra, which is not possible at traditional (lower) frequencies.

3. When combined with radars included as part of the ARM Mobile Facility, very small precipitation drops may be sized. This is accomplished through the Dual-Frequency-Ratio (DFR) between the 239 GHz and AMF Ka-band (35 GHz) or W-band (94 GHz) radars. Through these three unique characteristics we will provide validation data for EarthCARE observations of near-surface cloud and precipitation retrievals and Doppler-spectral cloud radar.