Results from recent cloud experiments with an 8 mm wavelength Doppler
radar demonstrate that millimeter wavelength radar can provide importa
nt new information about nonprecipitating and lightly precipitating cl
ouds. Millimeter wave radar can be used to document small-scale spatia
l structure of cirrus and marine stratus clouds. Its data can be used
to estimate profiles of ice content, particle size and concentration i
n cirrus clouds and profiles of liquid water content and turbulence in
marine stratus clouds. New results with mm wave radar suggest that pl
ate-like crystals may be distinguishable from aggregates with polariza
tion techniques. Quantitative information about cirrus cloud ice cryst
al fallspeeds, and therefore ice mass flux, can also be produced with
newly developed techniques that exploit the sensitivity and velocity p
recision of such radars. The good sensitivity to cloud particles, the
immunity from ground clutter contamination, and the good spatial resol
ution of millimeter wavelength radar make it an excellent instrument f
or documenting quantitative microphysical and dynamical properties of
non-precipitating and lightly precipitating clouds.