Ice crystal detection by weather radar

A method comprising:

• transmitting a first pulse comprising radar signals;
• receiving a reflection of the first pulse at a first time;
• transmitting a second pulse comprising radar signals after transmitting the first pulse;
• receiving a reflection of the second pulse at a second time;
• determining a first magnitude of reflectivity based on the reflection of the first pulse;
• determining a second magnitude of reflectivity based on the reflection of the second pulse;
• determining a temporal variance in reflectivity magnitudes based on determining a difference in reflectivity between the first magnitude and the second magnitude;
• and
• determining a presence of ice crystals based on the first magnitude of reflectivity, the second magnitude of reflectivity, and the temporal variance in reflectivity magnitudes.

A device comprising a computer-readable medium having executable instructions stored thereon, configured to be executable by one or more processors for causing the one or more processors to:

• cause a weather radar device to:
• transmit a first pulse comprising radar signals;
• receive a reflection of the first pulse at a first time;
• transmit a second pulse comprising radar signals after transmitting the first pulse;
• and
• receive a reflection of the second pulse at a second time;
• determine a first magnitude of reflectivity based on the reflection of the first pulse;
• determine a second magnitude of reflectivity based on the reflection of the second pulse;
• determine a temporal variance in reflectivity magnitudes based on determining a difference in reflectivity between the first magnitude and the second magnitude;
• and
• determine a presence of ice crystals based on the first magnitude of reflectivity, the second magnitude of reflectivity, and the temporal variance in reflectivity magnitudes.