Effects of Radar Beam Shielding on Rainfall Estimation for the Polarimetric C-Band Radar

2007 ◽  
Vol 24 (11) ◽  
pp. 1839-1859 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katja Friedrich ◽  
Urs Germann ◽  
Jonathan J. Gourley ◽  
Pierre Tabary
Keyword(s):  
Size Distribution ◽  
Drop Size ◽  
Radar Data ◽  
Drop Size Distribution ◽  
Rainfall Estimation ◽  
Axis Ratio ◽  
Radar Beam ◽  
Average Rainfall ◽  
Rain Events ◽  
Rainfall Estimates

Abstract Radar reflectivity (Zh), differential reflectivity (Zdr), and specific differential phase (Kdp) measured from the operational, polarimetric weather radar located in Trappes, France, were used to examine the effects of radar beam shielding on rainfall estimation. The objective of this study is to investigate the degree of immunity of Kdp-based rainfall estimates to beam shielding for C-band radar data during four typical rain events encountered in Europe. The rain events include two cold frontal rainbands with average rainfall rates of 7 and 17 mm h−1, respectively, and two summertime convective rain events with average rainfall rates of 11 and 22 mm h−1. The large effects of beam shielding on rainfall accumulation were observed for algorithms using Zh and Zdr with differences of up to ∼2 dB (40%) compared to a Kdp-based algorithm over a power loss range of 0–8 dB. This analysis reveals that Zdr and Kdp are not affected by partial beam shielding. Standard reflectivity corrections based on the degree of beam shielding would have overestimated rainfall rates by up to 1.5 dB for less than 40% beam shielding and up to 3 dB for beam shielding less than 75%. The investigation also examined the sensitivity of beam shielding effects on rainfall rate estimation to (i) axis–ratio parameterization and drop size distribution, (ii) methods used to smooth profiles of differential propagation phase (ϕdp) and estimate Kdp, and (iii) event-to-event variability. Although rainfall estimates were sensitive to drop size distribution and axis–ratio parameterization, differences between Zh- and Kdp-based rainfall rates increased independently from those parameters with amount of shielding. Different approaches to smoothing ϕdp profiles and estimating Kdp were examined and showed little impact on results.

scholarly journals Microphysical Retrievals from Dual-Polarization Radar Measurements at X Band

2008 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 729-741 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugenio Gorgucci ◽  
V. Chandrasekar ◽  
Luca Baldini
Keyword(s):  
Size Distribution ◽  
Attenuation Correction ◽  
Drop Size ◽  
Radar Data ◽  
Drop Size Distribution ◽  
Polarimetric Radar ◽  
Axis Ratio ◽  
X Band ◽  
Radar Measurements ◽  
Self Consistency

Abstract The recent advances in attenuation correction methodology are based on the use of a constraint represented by the total amount of the attenuation encountered along the path shared over each range bin in the path. This technique is improved by using the inner self-consistency of radar measurements. The full self-consistency methodology provides an optimization procedure for obtaining the best estimate of specific and cumulative attenuation and specific and cumulative differential attenuation. The main goal of the study is to examine drop size distribution (DSD) retrieval from X-band radar measurements after attenuation correction. A new technique for estimating the slope of a linear axis ratio model from polarimetric radar measurements at attenuated frequencies is envisioned. A new set of improved algorithms immune to variability in the raindrop shape–size relation are presented for the estimation of the governing parameters characterizing a gamma raindrop size distribution. Simulations based on the use of profiles of gamma drop size distribution parameters obtained from S-band observations are used for quantitative analysis. Radar data collected by the NOAA/Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL) X-band polarimetric radar are used to provide examples of the DSD parameter retrievals using attenuation-corrected radar measurements. Retrievals agree fairly well with disdrometer data. The radar data are also used to observe the prevailing shape of raindrops directly from the radar measurements. A significant result is that oblateness of drops is bounded between the two shape models of Pruppacher and Beard, and Beard and Chuang, the former representing the upper boundary and the latter the lower boundary.

scholarly journals Correction of Radar Reflectivity and Differential Reflectivity for Rain Attenuation at X Band. Part II: Evaluation and Application

2005 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 1633-1655 ◽  
Author(s):  
S-G. Park ◽  
M. Maki ◽  
K. Iwanami ◽  
V. N. Bringi ◽  
V. Chandrasekar
Keyword(s):  
Drop Size ◽  
Earth Science ◽  
Radar Data ◽  
Rain Gauge ◽  
Radar Rainfall ◽  
X Band ◽  
Rain Events ◽  
Differential Reflectivity ◽  
Rainfall Estimates ◽  
Good Agreement

Abstract In this paper, the attenuation-correction methodology presented in Part I is applied to radar measurements observed by the multiparameter radar at the X-band wavelength (MP-X) of the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (NIED), and is evaluated by comparison with scattering simulations using ground-based disdrometer data. Further, effects of attenuation on the estimation of rainfall amounts and drop size distribution parameters are also investigated. The joint variability of the corrected reflectivity and differential reflectivity show good agreement with scattering simulations. In addition, specific attenuation and differential attenuation, which are derived in the correction procedure, show good agreement with scattering simulations. In addition, a composite rainfall-rate algorithm is proposed and evaluated by comparison with eight gauges. The radar-rainfall estimates from the uncorrected (or observed) ZH produce severe underestimation, even at short ranges from the radar and for stratiform rain events. On the contrary, the reflectivity-based rainfall estimates from the attenuation-corrected ZH does not show such severe underestimation and does show better agreement with rain gauge measurements. More accurate rainfall amounts can be obtained from a simple composite algorithm based on specific differential phase KDP, with the R(ZH_cor) estimates being used for low rainfall rates (KDP ≤ 0.3° km−1 or ZH_cor ≤ 35 dBZ). This improvement in accuracy of rainfall estimation based on KDP is a result of the insensitivity of the rainfall algorithm to natural variations of drop size distributions (DSDs). The ZH, ZDR, and KDP data are also used to infer the parameters (median volume diameter D0 and normalized intercept parameter Nw) of a normalized gamma DSD. The retrieval of D0 and Nw from the corrected radar data show good agreement with those from disdrometer data in terms of the respective relative frequency histograms. The results of this study demonstrate that high-quality hydrometeorological information on rain events such as rainfall amounts and DSDs can be derived from X-band polarimetric radars.

scholarly journals Precipitation classification at mid-latitudes in terms of drop size distribution parameters

2008 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 11-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Caracciolo ◽  
F. Porcù ◽  
F. Prodi
Keyword(s):  
Size Distribution ◽  
Drop Size ◽  
Fundamental Property ◽  
Drop Size Distribution ◽  
Light Rain ◽  
Real Distribution ◽  
Distribution Parameters ◽  
Rain Events ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Rain Formation

Abstract. The drop size distribution (DSD) is a fundamental property of rainfall because the shape of the distribution reflects the physics of rain formation processes. Given the lack of studies on the DSD at mid-latitudes, the present work focuses on the microphysical characterization of precipitation events occurring in Italy, using two different types of disdrometer. A large number of different rain events was collected: they underwent microphysical analysis by computing the Z-R relationships, observing the average DSDs and DSD parameters, fitting the real distribution for different rainfall rate categories and applying convective (C) – stratiform (S) discrimination algorithms. A general agreement with past works at mid-latitudes is found both in the Z-R relationship and in DSD parameters. The rain distribution is well described by a gamma DSD and only in some cases (especially the light rain events) by an exponential DSD. Marked differences are observed in DSD parameters and Z-R relationships between C and S episodes. The use of disdrometers for areas covered by multiparametric radar is suggested and will be performed in the near future.

A Drop Size Distribution (DSD)-Based Model for Evaluating the Performance of Wet Radomes for Dual-Polarized Radars

2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (11) ◽  
pp. 2409-2430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge L. Salazar-Cerreño ◽  
V. Chandrasekar ◽  
Jorge M. Trabal ◽  
Paul Siquera ◽  
Rafael Medina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Size Distribution ◽  
Drop Size ◽  
Equivalent Circuit Model ◽  
Skin Surface ◽  
Radar Data ◽  
Drop Size Distribution ◽  
Electrical Performance ◽  
Phased Array Antenna ◽  
Adaptive Sensing ◽  
Dual Polarized

AbstractA novel analytical method is presented for evaluating the electrical performance of a radome for a dual-polarized phased-array antenna under rain conditions. Attenuation, reflections, and induced cross polarization are evaluated for different rainfall conditions and radome types. The authors present a model for estimating the drop size distribution on a radome surface based on skin surface material, area, inclination, and rainfall rate. Then, a multilayer radome model based on the transmission-line-equivalent circuit model is used to characterize the radome’s scattering parameters. Numerical results are compared with radar data obtained in the Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD) and Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere (CASA) systems, and good agreement is found.

scholarly journals Retrieval of lower-order moments of the drop size distribution using CSU-CHILL X-band polarimetric radar: a case study

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 4727-4750
Author(s):  
Viswanathan Bringi ◽  
Kumar Vijay Mishra ◽  
Merhala Thurai ◽  
Patrick C. Kennedy ◽  
Timothy H. Raupach
Keyword(s):  
Size Distribution ◽  
Lower Order ◽  
Drop Size ◽  
Radar Data ◽  
Drop Size Distribution ◽  
Polarimetric Radar ◽  
X Band ◽  
Double Moment ◽  
Differential Reflectivity

Abstract. The lower-order moments of the drop size distribution (DSD) have generally been considered difficult to retrieve accurately from polarimetric radar data because these data are related to higher-order moments. For example, the 4.6th moment is associated with a specific differential phase and the 6th moment with reflectivity and ratio of high-order moments with differential reflectivity. Thus, conventionally, the emphasis has been to estimate rain rate (3.67th moment) or parameters of the exponential or gamma distribution for the DSD. Many double-moment “bulk” microphysical schemes predict the total number concentration (the 0th moment of the DSD, or M0) and the mixing ratio (or equivalently, the 3rd moment M3). Thus, it is difficult to compare the model outputs directly with polarimetric radar observations or, given the model outputs, forward model the radar observables. This article describes the use of double-moment normalization of DSDs and the resulting stable intrinsic shape that can be fitted by the generalized gamma (G-G) distribution. The two reference moments are M3 and M6, which are shown to be retrievable using the X-band radar reflectivity, differential reflectivity, and specific attenuation (from the iterative correction of measured reflectivity Zh using the total Φdp constraint, i.e., the iterative ZPHI method). Along with the climatological shape parameters of the G-G fit to the scaled/normalized DSDs, the lower-order moments are then retrieved more accurately than possible hitherto. The importance of measuring the complete DSD from 0.1 mm onwards is emphasized using, in our case, an optical array probe with 50 µm resolution collocated with a two-dimensional video disdrometer with about 170 µm resolution. This avoids small drop truncation and hence the accurate calculation of lower-order moments. A case study of a complex multi-cell storm which traversed an instrumented site near the CSU-CHILL radar is described for which the moments were retrieved from radar and compared with directly computed moments from the complete spectrum measurements using the aforementioned two disdrometers. Our detailed validation analysis of the radar-retrieved moments showed relative bias of the moments M0 through M2 was <15 % in magnitude, with Pearson’s correlation coefficient >0.9. Both radar measurement and parameterization errors were estimated rigorously. We show that the temporal variation of the radar-retrieved mass-weighted mean diameter with M0 resulted in coherent “time tracks” that can potentially lead to studies of precipitation evolution that have not been possible so far.

scholarly journals PENGAMATAN KEJADIAN HUJAN DENGAN DISDROMETER DAN MICRO RAIN RADAR DI SERPONG

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Findy Renggono
Keyword(s):  
Size Distribution ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Drop Size ◽  
Drop Size Distribution ◽  
Rain Event ◽  
Stratiform Rain ◽  
Convective Rain ◽  
Rain Events ◽  
Rain Radar

IntisariPengamatan hujan dengan menggunakan beberapa peralatan yang mempunyai metode berbeda telah dilakukan di wilayah Serpong. Peralatan yang digunakan adalah Disdrometer dan Micro Rain Radar (MRR). Kedua peralatan tersebut dipasang pada satu lokasi yang sama agar dapat mengukur kejadian hujan yang sama. Pengamatan dilakukan pada akhir tahun 2016 selama 5 bulan, disesuaikan dengan kondisi dimana musim hujan sudah mulai masuk untuk wilayah ini. Perbandingan pengukuran yang telah dilakukan menunjukkan kesesuaian hasil antara kedua peralatan tersebut.  Pengamatan distribusi ukuran butir air pada empat kejadian hujan antara bulan Agustus-Desember 2016 menunjukkan bahwa hujan konvektif mempunyai distribusi ukuran yang lebih besar dibandingkan hujan stratiform.  AbstractRain observation by using several instruments having different method has been done in Serpong area. The instrument used is Disdrometer and Micro Rain Radar (MRR). Both instruments are installed in the same location in order to measure the same rain events. Observations were made at the end of 2016 for 5 months, adjusted to the conditions in which the rainy season has begun to enter for the region. Comparison of measurements that have been done indicate the suitability of the results between the two instrument. Drop size distribution of four rain event during August - December 2016 shows that the drop size distribution on convective rain broaden than on stratiform rain. 

scholarly journals Estimating the Accuracy of Polarimetric Radar–Based Retrievals of Drop-Size Distribution Parameters and Rain Rate: An Application of Error Variance Separation Using Radar-Derived Spatial Correlations

2012 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1066-1079 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Thurai ◽  
V. N. Bringi ◽  
L. D. Carey ◽  
P. Gatlin ◽  
E. Schultz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Size Distribution ◽  
Drop Size ◽  
Rain Rate ◽  
Sampling Error ◽  
Error Variance ◽  
Radar Data ◽  
Drop Size Distribution ◽  
Precipitation Event ◽  
Retrieval Algorithm ◽  
Polarimetric Radar

Abstract The accuracy of retrieving the two drop size distribution (DSD) parameters, median volume diameter (D0), and normalized intercept parameter (NW), as well as rain rate (R), from polarimetric C-band radar data obtained during a cool-season, long-duration precipitation event in Huntsville, Alabama, is examined. The radar was operated in a special “near-dwelling” mode over two video disdrometers (2DVD) located 15 km away. The polarimetric radar–based retrieval algorithms for the DSD parameters and rain rate were obtained from simulations using the 2DVD measurements of the DSD. A unique feature of this paper is the radar-based estimation of the spatial correlation functions of the two DSD parameters and rain rate that are used to estimate the “point-to-area” variance. A detailed error variance separation is performed, including the aforementioned point-to-area variance, along with variance components due to the retrieval algorithm error, radar measurement error, and disdrometer sampling error. The spatial decorrelation distance was found to be smallest for the R (4.5 km) and largest for D0 (8.24 km). For log10(NW), it was 7.22 km. The proportion of the variance of the difference between radar-based estimates and 2DVD measurements that could be explained by the aforementioned errors was 100%, 57%, and 73% for D0, log10(NW), and R, respectively. The overall accuracy of the radar-based retrievals for the particular precipitation event quantified in terms of the fractional standard deviation were estimated to be 6.8%, 6%, and 21% for D0, log10(NW), and R, respectively. The normalized bias was &lt;1%. These correspond to time resolution of ~3 min and spatial resolution of ~1.5 km.

Effect of drop size distribution on microwave link rainfall retrieval at E-band

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Fencl ◽  
Vojtech Bares
Keyword(s):  
Size Distribution ◽  
Drop Size ◽  
Rainfall Variability ◽  
Frequency Region ◽  
Drop Size Distribution ◽  
Rainfall Model ◽  
One Year ◽  
Microwave Link ◽  
Rainfall Retrieval ◽  
Rainfall Estimates

&lt;p&gt;Rainfall retrieval with commercial microwave links (CMLs) relies on the relation between radiowave attenuation and rainfall intensity. The CMLs used to operate predominantly at 15-40 GHz frequency region where the relation between rainfall and attenuation was close-to-linear and only slightly dependent on drop size distribution (DSD) (Berne and Uijlenhoet, 2007). New generation of CMLs operated within cellular backhaul utilizes increasingly the E-band frequencies, specifically frequency region 71 - 86 GHz. The attenuation-rainfall relation at this region is, however, substantially more dependent on DSD.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;One year of DSD data retrieved from Parsivel OTT disdrometer is used to simulate theoretical attenuation and quantify the effect of DSD on CML rainfall estimates. The results show that E-band CMLs are highly sensitive to DSD. The relative error related to DSD variability reaches up to 40%, which is about two to three times higher value compared to errors by CMLs operated at 15-40 GHz. These errors can be, however, reduced to approx. 20% when distinguishing between stratiform and convective rainfalls and introducing two different parameter sets for attenuation-rainfall relation, accordingly.&amp;#160; The improvement of CML rainfall estimates when adapting parameters of attenuation-rainfall relation is demonstrated on real attenuation data acquired from 4.8 km long E-band CML operated within cellular backhaul in Prague (CZ).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Variable drop size distribution represents a significant source of uncertainty in rainfall estimates retrieved from E-band CMLs. This uncertainty can be substantially reduced by adapting parameters of attenuation-rainfall model to rainfall type (DSD).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;References:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Berne, A., Uijlenhoet, R., 2007. Path-averaged rainfall estimation using microwave links: Uncertainty due to spatial rainfall variability. &lt;em&gt;Geophys. Res. Lett. 34&lt;/em&gt;, L07403. https://doi.org/10.1029/2007GL029409&lt;/p&gt;

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document