Micro Rain Radar based Virga Detection Algorithm

Abstract

Virga, precipitation that evaporates before reaching the surface, plays a crucial role in quantifying total precipitation. Accurate identification of virga is essential for improving precipitation estimates derived from satellite radar observations, which are limited in polar regions. This study, for the first time, utilizes ground-based Micro Rain Radar (MRR) vertical precipitation profiles to develop a virga detection algorithm. The algorithm is tested over the Ny-Ålesund (78o 55’ N, 11o 56’ E) in the Arctic using MRR reflectivity and fall velocity profiles up to 6 km. Its sensitivity is presented using two events from summer and autumn 2020. The results indicate that summer has the highest virga occurrence with ∼40%, followed by spring and autumn with ∼30% and winter with the lowest ∼22%. The results are expected to improve the understanding of the Arctic precipitation processes and contribute to quantitative precipitation estimations. ©2025 IEEE.