Improving Operational Radar Rainfall Estimates Using Profiler Observations Over Complex Terrain in Northern California | IEEE Journals & Magazine | IEEE Xplore

Improving Operational Radar Rainfall Estimates Using Profiler Observations Over Complex Terrain in Northern California


Abstract:

Quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) using operational weather radars in the western United States is still a challenging issue due to the beam blockage in the mou...Show More

Abstract:

Quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) using operational weather radars in the western United States is still a challenging issue due to the beam blockage in the mountainous areas and complex rainfall microphysics induced by the orographic enhancement. This article aims to improve operational radar rainfall estimates in complex terrain by incorporating auxiliary remote sensing observations. An innovative vertical profile of reflectivity (VPR) correction scheme is developed for operational radar using observations from multiple vertically pointing profilers to represent the vertical structure of precipitation at various locations. A demonstration study in the Russian River basin in Northern California is detailed. Results show that the QPE performance is significantly improved after VPR correction, and this new VPR correction approach is superior to the conventional approach currently applied in the operational radar rainfall system. The normalized standard error of hourly rainfall estimates for the two precipitation events presented in this article is improved by ~20% after applying the proposed VPR correction scheme.
Published in: IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing ( Volume: 58, Issue: 3, March 2020)
Page(s): 1821 - 1832
Date of Publication: 12 November 2019

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