In this paper, a new melting layer model called melting layer with spheroid
al particles (CFPS in French) is presented. The physical description of the
melting layer and the method of scattering calculation used in this model
are developed, Two important contributions are the nonmonotonous law for th
e axial ratio of melting particles and the scattering calculation, which is
made by an exact method for a spheroidal particle with any size and any ax
ial ratio. The CFPS model is validated with radar data at 3 and 35 GHz, Res
ults of validation are shown in this paper, Two applications are discussed:
the comparison between three other melting layer models (developed by the
European Space Agency, Delft University, and Helsinki University) that run
faster in time but involve limitations in particle size or particle shape a
nd a radar data inversion process in order to better characterize the melti
ng layer and to retrieve meteorological parameters.