Radar-rainfall estimation is a complex process that involves several error sources, some of which are related to the environmental context. The presence of orographic obstacles heavily affects the quality of the retrieved radar products. In relatively flat terrain conditions, dual-polarization capability has been proven either to increase the data quality or to improve the rainfall estimate. The potential benefit of using polarimetric techniques for precipitation retrieval is evaluated here using data coming from two radar systems operating in Italy under complex-orography conditions. The analysis outlines encouraging results that might open new scenarios for operational applications. Indeed, the applied rainfall algorithm employing specific differential phase mostly outperformed the examined reflectivity-based retrieval techniques except for the analyzed winter storm. In the latter case, the likely contamination by frozen or melting snow tended to degrade the performance of the examined K-dp-based rainfall algorithms.
On the Use of Dual-Polarized C-Band Radar for Operational Rainfall Retrieval in Mountainous Areas / Gianfranco, Vulpiani; Mario, Montopoli; L., Delli Passeri; Antonio G., Gioia; Pietro, Giordano; Marzano, FRANK SILVIO. - In: JOURNAL OF APPLIED METEOROLOGY AND CLIMATOLOGY. - ISSN 1558-8424. - STAMPA. - 51:2(2012), pp. 405-425. [10.1175/jamc-d-10-05024.1]
On the Use of Dual-Polarized C-Band Radar for Operational Rainfall Retrieval in Mountainous Areas
MARZANO, FRANK SILVIO
2012
Abstract
Radar-rainfall estimation is a complex process that involves several error sources, some of which are related to the environmental context. The presence of orographic obstacles heavily affects the quality of the retrieved radar products. In relatively flat terrain conditions, dual-polarization capability has been proven either to increase the data quality or to improve the rainfall estimate. The potential benefit of using polarimetric techniques for precipitation retrieval is evaluated here using data coming from two radar systems operating in Italy under complex-orography conditions. The analysis outlines encouraging results that might open new scenarios for operational applications. Indeed, the applied rainfall algorithm employing specific differential phase mostly outperformed the examined reflectivity-based retrieval techniques except for the analyzed winter storm. In the latter case, the likely contamination by frozen or melting snow tended to degrade the performance of the examined K-dp-based rainfall algorithms.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.