Radar volume reflectivity estimation using an array of ground-based rainfall drop size detectors

John Lane; Francis Merceret; Takis Kasparis; D. Roy; Brad Muller; W. Linwood Jones

doi:10.1117/12.395088

4 August 2000 Radar volume reflectivity estimation using an array of ground-based rainfall drop size detectors

John Lane, Francis Merceret, Takis Kasparis, D. Roy, Brad Muller, W. Linwood Jones

Proceedings Volume 4052, Signal Processing, Sensor Fusion, and Target Recognition IX; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.395088
Event: AeroSense 2000, 2000, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

Rainfall drop size distribution (DSD) measurements made by single disdrometers at isolated ground sites have traditionally been used to estimate the transformation between weather radar reflectivity Z and rainfall rate R. Despite the immense disparity in sampling geometries, the resulting Z-R relation obtained by these single point measurements has historically been important in the study of applied radar meteorology. Simultaneous DSD measurements made at several ground sites within a microscale area may be used to improve the estimate of radar reflectivity in the air volume surrounding the disdrometer array. By applying the equations of motion for non-interacting hydrometers, a volume estimate of Z is obtained from the array of ground based disdrometers by first calculating a 3D drop size distribution. The 3D-DSD model assumes that only gravity and terminal velocity due to atmospheric drag within the sampling volume influence hydrometer dynamics. The sampling volume is characterized by wind velocities, which are input parameters to the 3D-DSD model, composed of vertical and horizontal components. Reflectivity data from four consecutive WSR-88D volume scans, acquired during a thunderstorm near Melbourne, FL on June 1, 1997, are compared to data processed using the 3D-DSD model and data form three ground based disdrometers of a microscale array.

Citation Download Citation

John Lane, Francis Merceret, Takis Kasparis, D. Roy, Brad Muller, and W. Linwood Jones "Radar volume reflectivity estimation using an array of ground-based rainfall drop size detectors", Proc. SPIE 4052, Signal Processing, Sensor Fusion, and Target Recognition IX, (4 August 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.395088

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