Dual-polarization overview

Figure 1. Single-polarization and dual-polarization radars
A
Single-polarization weather radar
B
Dual-polarization weather radar

Single-polarization weather radars transmit and receive only a single polarization (usually horizontal). Dual-polarization radars transmit and receive both horizontal and vertical polarization.

Vaisala Hydrometeor Classification (HydroClass) software makes optimal use of dual-channel measurements to detect the types of scatterers present in the atmosphere, such as rain, hail, snow, graupel, and even non-meteorological targets such as insects, chaff, and sea clutter.