Dust-Storm detection analysis based on W-Band radar

Accurate dust-storm monitoring is vital in arid regions. This study details the first field deployment of a 94 GHz W-band radar in the Taklamakan Desert to retrieve height-resolved microphysical parameters, including reflectivity, two-way attenuation, and log-normal particle-size distribution. Applying Rayleigh scattering theory, we demonstrate that absorption dominates electromagnetic attenuation at W-band frequencies. Two attenuation estimation methods are introduced, showing low-altitude attenuation reaches 4.5 dB/km during low visibility. To improve weak echo extraction, we optimized Doppler spectrum signal processing by integrating Hildebrand-Sekhon iterative denoising with Kolmogorov-Smirnov testing for robust noise estimation. Height-based attenuation correction effectively recovered near-ground echo strength (up to 10 dBZ), revealing stratified vertical dust transport between 500 and 1000 m. These findings highlight the W-band radar's capability for quantitative dust-storm profiling and microphysical property inversion.