Systematic Variation of Observed Radar Reflectivity–Rainfall Rate Relations in the Tropics
Open Access
- 1 December 2000
- journal article
- Published by American Meteorological Society in Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology
- Vol. 39 (12) , 2198-2208
- https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0450(2001)040<2198:svoorr>2.0.co;2
Abstract
The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Global Validation Program provides a unique opportunity to compare radar datasets from different sites, because they are analyzed in a relatively uniform procedure. Monthly observed radar reflectivity–rainfall rate (Ze–R) relations for four different sites that are surrounded by tipping bucket gauge networks (Melbourne, Florida; Houston, Texas; Darwin, Australia; and Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of Marshall Islands) were derived. The radar and gauge data from all sites are controlled for quality using the same algorithms, which also include an automated procedure to filter unreliable rain gauge data upon comparison with radar data. The relations are generated by two different methods. The first method is based on using a power law Ze–R with a fixed exponent of 1.4, and the second is based on matching unconditional probabilities of rain rates as measured by the gauge to radar-observed reflectivities and is known as the window probability matching method (WPMM).... Abstract The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Global Validation Program provides a unique opportunity to compare radar datasets from different sites, because they are analyzed in a relatively uniform procedure. Monthly observed radar reflectivity–rainfall rate (Ze–R) relations for four different sites that are surrounded by tipping bucket gauge networks (Melbourne, Florida; Houston, Texas; Darwin, Australia; and Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of Marshall Islands) were derived. The radar and gauge data from all sites are controlled for quality using the same algorithms, which also include an automated procedure to filter unreliable rain gauge data upon comparison with radar data. The relations are generated by two different methods. The first method is based on using a power law Ze–R with a fixed exponent of 1.4, and the second is based on matching unconditional probabilities of rain rates as measured by the gauge to radar-observed reflectivities and is known as the window probability matching method (WPMM)....Keywords
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