HydroClass Overview

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.

In addition to the improvements in precipitation estimation that are achieved with dual-polarization radar, HydroClass provides the ability to deduce and map the types of scatterers enhances the power of dual-polarization radar for applications such as:

• Hail detection
• Lightning hazard potential forecasting
• Detection of convection and stratiform rain
• Highway snow removal
• Airport terminal operation
• Rain/snow line demarcation
• Melting height detection
• Weather modification for hail mitigation
• Insurance industry claims verification
• Military detection of chaff
• Data quality improvement by elimination of non-meteorological targets
• Improved precipitation forecasting
• Hydrological modeling