Investigating precipitation microphysics using ground-based microwave remote sensors and disdrometer data

Precipitation is a complex phenomenon which is characterized by a significant variability both in time and space. Conventional measurements, such those of rain gauges, can only provide a limited information of its microphysical properties and dynamical features. In this respect, disdrometer surface measurements can help in exploring the raindrop size distribution. This paper provides an overview of these observation techniques, their physical background and some recent results. Specifically, ground-based techniques to observe precipitation using surface disdrometers, multifrequency microwave radiometers and microwave polarimetric radars will be discussed and illustrated. By exploiting this remote and in-situ instrumentation, estimates of precipitation optical thickness, liquid, ice and melted hydrometeor category, and their size distribution can be obtained. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.