https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20140010540/downloads/20140010540.pdf

Global precipitation measurement: Methods, datasets and applications

As part of the Joint Polarization Experiment (JPOLE), the National Severe Storms Laboratory conducted an operational demonstration of the polarimetric utility of the Norman, Oklahoma (KOUN), Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D). The capability of the KOUN radar to estimate rainfall is tested on a large dataset representing different seasons and different types of rain. A dense gauge network—the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Micronet—is used to validate different polarimetric algorithms for rainfall estimation. One-hour rain totals are estimated from the KOUN radar using conventional and polarimetric algorithms and are compared with hourly accumulations measured by the gauges. Both point and areal rain estimates are examined. A new “synthetic” rainfall algorithm has been developed for rainfall estimation. The use of the synthetic polarimetric algorithm results in significant reduction in the rms errors of hourly rain estimates when compared with the conventional nonpolarimetric relation: 1.7 times for point measurements and 3.7 times for areal rainfall measurements.

Rainfall Estimation with a Polarimetric Prototype of WSR-88D

In this work the longstanding question of the connections between raindrop-size distributions (RDSDs) and radar reflectivity-rainfall rate (Z-R) relationships is revisited, this time from the combined approach of rain-forming physical processes that shape the RDSD, and a formulation of the RDSD into the simplest free parameters of the rain intensity R, rainwater content W, and median volume drop diameter D0. This is accomplished through a theoretical analysis, using a gamma RDSD, of D0-R and W-R relations implied by the coefficients and exponents in empirical Z-R relations. The results provide a means by which these Z-R relations can be classified. The most dramatic of these classifications involves the relation between D0 and W, which shows a remarkable ordering with the rain types.

Cloud Microphysical Properties, Processes, and Rainfall Estimation Opportunities

Techniques for the absolute calibration of radar reflectivity Z and differential reflectivity ZDR measured with dual-polarization weather radars are examined herein. Calibration of Z is based on the idea of self-consistency among Z, ZDR, and the specific differential phase KDP in rain. Extensive spatial and temporal averaging is used to derive the average values of ZDR and KDP for each 1 dB step in Z. Such averaging substantially reduces the standard error of the KDP estimate so the technique can be used for a wide range of rain intensities, including light rain. In this paper, the performance of different consistency relations is analyzed and a new self-consistency methodology is suggested. The proposed scheme substantially reduces the impact of variability in the drop size distribution and raindrop shape on the quality of the Z calibration. The new calibration technique was tested on a large polarimetric dataset obtained during the Joint Polarization Experiment in Oklahoma and yielded an accura...

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Calibration Issues of Dual-Polarization Radar Measurements

In this paper, data from three 2-dimensional video disdrometers (2DVDs) and an S-band polarimetric radar are used to characterize rain microphysics in Oklahoma. Sampling errors from the 2DVD measurements are quantified through side-by-side comparisons. In an attempt to minimize the sampling errors, a method of sorting and averaging based on two parameters (SATP) is proposed. The shape–slope (μ–Λ) relation of a constrained gamma (C-G) model is then refined for the retrieval of drop size distributions (DSDs) from polarimetric radar measurements. An adjustable term that is based on observed radar reflectivity and differential reflectivity is introduced to make the C-G DSD model more applicable. Radar retrievals using this improved DSD model are shown to provide good agreement with disdrometer observations and to give reasonable results, including in locations near the leading edge of convection where poorly sampled large drops are often observed.

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Analysis of Video Disdrometer and Polarimetric Radar Data to Characterize Rain Microphysics in Oklahoma

The application of polarimetric radar data to the retrieval of raindrop size distribution parameters and rain rate in samples of convective and stratiform rain types is presented. Data from the Colorado State University (CSU), CHILL, NCAR S-band polarimetric (S-Pol), and NASA Kwajalein radars are analyzed for the statistics and functional relation of these parameters with rain rate. Surface drop size distribution measurements using two different disdrometers (2D video and RD-69) from a number of climatic regimes are analyzed and compared with the radar retrievals in a statistical and functional approach. The composite statistics based on disdrometer and radar retrievals suggest that, on average, the two parameters (generalized intercept and median volume diameter) for stratiform rain distributions lie on a straight line with negative slope, which appears to be consistent with variations in the microphysics of stratiform precipitation (melting of larger, dry snow particles versus smaller, rimed ic...

/pdf/raindrop-size-distribution-in-different-climatic-regimes-2kh1jgz6g8.pdf

Raindrop Size Distribution in Different Climatic Regimes from Disdrometer and Dual-Polarized Radar Analysis

Polarimetric radars are very useful for remote sensing of storm microphysics. Multiparameter radar signatures have been used for quantitative and qualitative interpretation of convective storms. However, the interpretation of these signatures for aggregating snow particles is complicated because of many unknowns, such as bulk densities, and shapes of snow particles. During the winter of 1996-1997, extensive data were collected in Colorado winter storms using the CSU-CKILL radar in conjunction with a 2D-video disdrometer located on ground. This paper presents a comparison of multiparameter radar and in-situ microphysical observations in winter precipitation during two storm events of different characteristics. The comparison includes, investigation of radar signatures of these storms to study their microphysical evolution, generation of in-situ particle size distribution using the 2D-video disdrometer at different integration times, as well as estimation of particle densities and shapes. A model for radar backscatter, considering particle types, shapes, sizes, orientations, and densities is used, providing a framework for microphysical interpretation and for comparing radar signatures and disdrometer observations.

Simultaneous multiparameter radar and 2D-video disdrometer observations of snow

Measurements performed by disdrometers are often used in order to study and characterize the impact that precipitation induces into electromagnetic waves. This paper presents the lD- Video-Disdrometer (lDVD). Thanks to the generous measuring area offered by this device, the sampling effect often associated with the disdrometers available on the market can be attenuated. It was found that the rain amount measured by the 1DVD is affected by an error smaller than 0.6% and the specific attenuation can be derived with an error not larger than 3.3 %.

M. Schoenhuber

Papers

Raindrop Size Distribution in Different Climatic Regimes from Disdrometer and Dual-Polarized Radar Analysis

Simultaneous multiparameter radar and 2D-video disdrometer observations of snow

On the Sampling Effects of Disdrometer-Derived Data Measured by the 1D-Video-Disdrometer