scholarly journals Stratiform and Convective Precipitation Observed by Multiple Radars during the DYNAMO/AMIE Experiment

2014 ◽  
Vol 53 (11) ◽  
pp. 2503-2523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Deng ◽  
Pavlos Kollias ◽  
Zhe Feng ◽  
Chidong Zhang ◽  
Charles N. Long ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rain Rate ◽  
Convective Precipitation ◽  
Doppler Velocity ◽  
Ka Band ◽  
Stratiform Rain ◽  
Rate Estimation ◽  
Precipitation Occurrence ◽  
Cloud Radar ◽  
Stratiform Precipitation ◽  
Two Parameter

AbstractIn this study, methods of convective/stratiform precipitation classification and surface rain-rate estimation based on the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program (ARM) cloud radar measurements were developed and evaluated. Simultaneous and collocated observations of the Ka-band ARM zenith radar (KAZR), two scanning precipitation radars [NCAR S-band/Ka-band Dual Polarization, Dual Wavelength Doppler Radar (S-PolKa) and Texas A&M University Shared Mobile Atmospheric Research and Teaching Radar (SMART-R)], and surface precipitation during the Dynamics of the Madden–Julian Oscillation/ARM MJO Investigation Experiment (DYNAMO/AMIE) field campaign were used. The motivation of this study is to apply the unique long-term ARM cloud radar observations without accompanying precipitation radars to the study of cloud life cycle and precipitation features under different weather and climate regimes. The resulting convective/stratiform classification from KAZR was evaluated against precipitation radars. Precipitation occurrence and classified convective/stratiform rain fractions from KAZR compared favorably to the collocated SMART-R and S-PolKa observations. Both KAZR and S-PolKa radars observed about 5% precipitation occurrence. The convective (stratiform) precipitation fraction is about 18% (82%). Collocated disdrometer observations of two days showed an increased number concentration of small and large raindrops in convective rain relative to dominant small raindrops in stratiform rain. The composite distributions of KAZR reflectivity and Doppler velocity also showed distinct structures for convective and stratiform rain. These evidences indicate that the method produces physically consistent results for the two types of rain. A new KAZR-based, two-parameter [the gradient of accumulative radar reflectivity Ze (GAZ) below 1 km and near-surface Ze] rain-rate estimation procedure was developed for both convective and stratiform rain. This estimate was compared with the exponential Z–R (reflectivity–rain rate) relation. The relative difference between the estimated and surface-measured rainfall rates showed that the two-parameter relation can improve rainfall estimation relative to the Z–R relation.

scholarly journals Rain‐rate estimation algorithm using signal attenuation of Ka‐band cloud radar

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Su‐Bin Oh ◽  
Pavlos Kollias ◽  
Jeong‐Soon Lee ◽  
Seung‐Woo Lee ◽  
Yong Hee Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rain Rate ◽  
Estimation Algorithm ◽  
Signal Attenuation ◽  
Ka Band ◽  
Rate Estimation ◽  
Cloud Radar

scholarly journals Statistical Characteristics of Cloud Occurrence and Vertical Structure Observed by a Ground-Based Ka-Band Cloud Radar in South Korea

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (14) ◽  
pp. 2242
Author(s):  
Bo-Young Ye ◽  
Eunsil Jung ◽  
Seungsook Shin ◽  
GyuWon Lee
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Growth ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Single Frequency ◽  
Doppler Velocity ◽  
Maximum Height ◽  
Continuous Growth ◽  
Ka Band ◽  
Cloud Radar ◽  
Strong Evaporation ◽  
Precipitating Clouds

The cloud measurements for two years from the vertical pointing Ka-band cloud radar at Boseong in Korea are used to analyze detailed cloud properties. The reflectivity of the cloud radar is calibrated with other vertical pointing radars compared with the two disdrometers. A simple threshold-based quality control method is applied to eliminate non-meteorological echoes (insects and noise) in conjunction with despeckling along the radial direction. Clouds are classified into five types: high (HC), middle (MC), low (LC) for non-precipitating clouds, and deep (RainDP) and shallow (RainSH) for precipitating clouds. The average cloud frequency was about 35.9% with the maximum frequency of 50% in June for the total two-year sampling period. The RainDP occurred most frequently (11.8%), followed by HC (9.3%), MC (7.4%), RainSH (4.4%), and LC (2.9%) out of the average occurrence of the total 35.9%. HC and RainDP were frequently observed in summer and autumn, while RainSH, LC, and MC were dominant in the winter due to the dominant cloud development by the air-sea interaction during the cold air outbreak. The HC showed a significant seasonal variation of the maximum height and the rapid growth in the layer above 7 km (about −15 °C) in summer and autumn. This rapid growth appears in HC, MC, LC, and RainDP and is linked with rapid increases in Doppler velocity and mass flux. Thus, this growth is originated from the dominant riming processes in addition to depositional growth and is supported by an updraft in the layer between 6 and 8 km. MC showed a single frequency peak around 6 km with rapid growth above and strong evaporation below. The Doppler velocity of MC rapidly increases above 8 km and is nearly constant below this height due to strong evaporation except in the summer. LC had a similar trend of reflectivity (rapid growth in the HC region and strong evaporation in the lower region) lacking high frequency in the MC region. Unlike LC, the RainDP had continuous growth toward the ground in the entire layer with rapid growth in the HC and MC regions. In addition, two modes (cloud and precipitation) appear on the ground in spring and fall with the vertical continuity of the high frequency in the precipitation mode. The precipitation growth was most efficient in RainSH in summer with a reflectivity gradient of about 20 dBZ km−1 and frequent updrafts larger than 1 m s−1 and was smaller in the MC and HC regions.

scholarly journals Characterization of Ka-band Radar Observations for Different Rain Types over Akure, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
pp. 9-19
Author(s):  
Joseph S. Ojo ◽  
Babatunde A. Alabi ◽  
Moses O. Ajewole
Keyword(s):  
Vertical Profile ◽  
Rain Rate ◽  
Quantitative Estimation ◽  
Radiowave Propagation ◽  
Propagation Path ◽  
Tropical Region ◽  
Fall Velocity ◽  
Ka Band ◽  
Stratiform Rain ◽  
Bright Band

Radar is a unique tool that can measure precipitation parameters over a large aerial coverage. Its application spans over study of climate change and radiowave propagation. Inter-relation between the rain parameters can also be derived with the height of radar especially on vertical profiling or aloft ground level. Hence effect of precipitation parameters can be assessed along the satellite propagation path with the help of space-borne radar. Satellite communication links operating at frequencies above 10 GHz are usually affected by hydrometeors especially rainfall. These effects are expected to be quite severe in the tropical region like Akure due to the nature of precipitation which is mainly convective and stratiform rain type. Therefore, information on vertical rain structure is important for precise quantitative estimation of precipitation. Thus, the focus of this work is to characterize the vertical profile of rain structures using vertically-pointing Ka-band Micro Rain Radar (MRR) at Akure, Nigeria. This has been achieved by using 2-year (2013 and 2014) data of rain parameters namely: rain rate, reflectivity, liquid water content and fall velocity obtained from MRR to determine the bright band heights under different rain types and its implications on satellite and radio waves propagation in this region. Rain rate in this region has been categorized into four groups namely: 0.02- 0.2 mm/h, 0.2- 2 mm/h, 2-40 mm/h, and 40 - 200 mm/h. The very low rain rate group is related to the stratiform rain types whereas highest rain rate groups are for the convective rain type. Study shows that parameters that are much associated with rain attained peak value at different height depending on the period of the year. The vertical profile of Z shows peak around 3 to 4.2 km height. The peak region is associated with the bright band height and contribution to the melting layer. This study revealed that the occurrence of bright band heights varies with rain types. The overall results will be useful for determining rain height needed for the prediction of rain attenuation in this region.

scholarly journals Estimating Rain Rates from Tipping-Bucket Rain Gauge Measurements

2008 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianxin Wang ◽  
Brad L. Fisher ◽  
David B. Wolff
Keyword(s):  
Rain Rate ◽  
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission ◽  
Rain Gauge ◽  
Radar Reflectivity ◽  
Time Shift ◽  
Estimation Errors ◽  
Rate Estimation ◽  
Reflectivity Data ◽  
Rain Rates ◽  
Event Definition

Abstract This paper describes the cubic spline–based operational system for the generation of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) 1-min rain-rate product 2A-56 from tipping-bucket (TB) gauge measurements. A simulated TB gauge from a Joss–Waldvogel disdrometer is employed to evaluate the errors of the TB rain-rate estimation. These errors are very sensitive to the time scale of rain rates. One-minute rain rates suffer substantial errors, especially at low rain rates. When 1-min rain rates are averaged over 4–7-min intervals or longer, the errors dramatically reduce. Estimated lower rain rates are sensitive to the event definition whereas the higher rates are not. The median relative absolute errors are about 22% and 32% for 1-min rain rates higher and lower than 3 mm h−1, respectively. These errors decrease to 5% and 14% when rain rates are used at the 7-min scale. The radar reflectivity–rain-rate distributions drawn from the large amount of 7-min rain rates and radar reflectivity data are mostly insensitive to the event definition. The time shift due to inaccurate clocks can also cause rain-rate estimation errors, which increase with the shifted time length. Finally, some recommendations are proposed for possible improvements of rainfall measurements and rain-rate estimations.

Monsoon cloud observations using a low power vertical looking Ka Band Cloud radar

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Agarwal ◽  
J. S. Pillai ◽  
K. Aurobindo ◽  
J. D. Abhyankar ◽  
G. Isola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Power ◽  
Ka Band ◽  
Cloud Radar

scholarly journals Performance of the Precipitation Occurrence Sensor System as a Precipitation Gauge

2008 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 196-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. E. Sheppard ◽  
P. I. Joe
Keyword(s):  
Interquartile Range ◽  
Sensor System ◽  
Precipitation Rate ◽  
Doppler Velocity ◽  
High Temporal Resolution ◽  
Velocity Spectrum ◽  
Ratio Distribution ◽  
Precipitation Occurrence ◽  
Solid Precipitation ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract The Precipitation Occurrence Sensor System (POSS) is a small X-band Doppler radar originally developed by the Meteorological Service of Canada for reporting the occurrence, type, and intensity of precipitation from Automated Weather Observing Stations. This study evaluates POSS as a gauge for measuring amounts of both liquid and solid precipitation. Different precipitation rate estimation algorithms are described. The effect of different solid precipitation types on the Doppler velocity spectrum is discussed. Lacking any accepted reference for high temporal resolution rates, the POSS precipitation rate measurements are integrated over time periods ranging from 6 h to one day and validated against international and Canadian reference gauges. Data from a wide range of sites across Canada and for periods of several years are used. The statistical performance of POSS is described in terms of the distribution of ratios of POSS to reference gauge amounts (catch ratios). In liquid precipitation the median of the catch ratio distribution is 82% and the interquartile range was between −12% and 19% about the median. In solid precipitation the median is 90% and the interquartile range is between −17% and 24% about the median. The underestimation in both liquid and solid precipitation is shown to be a function of precipitation rate and phase. The effects of radome wetting, raindrop splashing, wind, and the radar “brightband” effect on the estimation of precipitation rates are discussed.

scholarly journals Improved rain-rate and drop-size retrievals from airborne and spaceborne Doppler radar

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon L. Mason ◽  
J. Christine Chiu ◽  
Robin J. Hogan ◽  
Lin Tian
Keyword(s):  
Size Distribution ◽  
Drop Size ◽  
Rain Rate ◽  
Doppler Radar ◽  
Number Concentration ◽  
Doppler Velocity ◽  
Light Rain ◽  
Warm Rain ◽  
Rain Drop ◽  
Drop Number

Abstract. Satellite radar remote-sensing of rain is important for quantifying of the global hydrological cycle, atmospheric energy budget, and many microphysical cloud and precipitation processes; however, radar estimates of rain rate are sensitive to assumptions about the raindrop size distribution. The upcoming EarthCARE satellite will feature a 94-GHz Doppler radar alongside lidar and radiometer instruments, presenting opportunities for enhanced global retrievals of the rain drop size distribution. In this paper we demonstrate the capability to retrieve both rain rate and a parameter of the rain drop size distribution from an airborne 94-GHz Doppler radar using CAPTIVATE, the variational retrieval algorithm developed for EarthCARE radar–lidar synergy. For a range of rain regimes observed during the Tropical Composition, Cloud and Climate Coupling (TC4) field campaign in the eastern Pacific in 2007, we explore the contributions of Doppler velocity and path-integrated attenuation (PIA) to the retrievals, and evaluate the retrievals against independent measurements from a second, less attenuated, Doppler radar aboard the same aircraft. Retrieved drop number concentration varied over five orders of magnitude between light rain from melting ice, and warm rain from liquid clouds. Doppler velocity can be used to estimate rain rate over land, and retrievals of rain rate and drop number concentration are possible in profiles of light rain over land; in moderate warm rain, drop number concentration can be retrieved without Doppler velocity. These results suggest that EarthCARE rain retrievals facilitated by Doppler radar will make substantial improvements to the global understanding of the interaction of clouds and precipitation.

scholarly journals Microphysical evidence of the transition between predominant convective/stratiform rainfall associated with the intraseasonal oscillation in the Southwest Amazon

2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Ifanger Albrecht ◽  
Maria Assunção Faus da Silva Dias
Keyword(s):  
Intraseasonal Oscillation ◽  
Convective Precipitation ◽  
Wind Regime ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Stratiform Precipitation ◽  
Type Size ◽  
Global Atmospheric Circulation ◽  
Microphysical Processes ◽  
Wind Regimes ◽  
Precipitation Formation

The distinction between convective and stratiform precipitation profiles around various precipitating systems existent in tropical regions is very important to the global atmospheric circulation, which is extremely sensitive to vertical latent heat distribution. In South America, the convective activity responds to the Intraseasonal Oscillation (IOS). This paper analyzes a disdrometer and a radar profiler data, installed in the Ji-Paraná airport, RO, Brazil, for the field experiment WETAMC/LBA & TRMM/LBA, during January and February of 1999. The microphysical analysis of wind regimes associated with IOS showed a large difference in type, size and microphysical processes of hydrometeor growth in each wind regime: easterly regimes had more turbulence and consequently convective precipitation formation, and westerly regimes had a more stratiform precipitation formation.

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