X-band full polarized Doppler weather radar return simulation by using propagation-modified ensemble-averaged covariance matrix

A simulator capable of generating raw time series data for an X-band full polarimetric Doppler weather radar is described in this paper. Mie scattering and propagation effects are taken into account. Common polarimetric radar observables, relative to rain, hail, graupel and snow hydrometeors, were estimated from the simulated time series. The simulation method was validated by comparing the estimated radar observables with real measurements and other simulations that can be found in the existing literature, showing strong agreement.