General Probability-matched Relations between Radar Reflectivity and Rain Rate

Rosenfeld, Daniel; Wolff, David B.; Atlas, David

doi:10.1175/1520-0450(1993)032<0050:gpmrbr>2.0.co;2

Cited by 222 publications

(125 citation statements)

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“…3) The use of the standard NEXRAD Z̶R relationship Z = 300R 1.4 (Fulton et al 1998) produces an underestimation of rainfall for convective rain, whereas rainfall tends to be overestimated when the standard tropical Z̶R relationship Z = 250R 1.2 (Rosenfeld et al 1993) is used. Using filtered data, we derived a new Z̶R relationship (Z = 368R 1.21 ) for convective rain.…”

Section: Summary and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Statistical Characteristics of Raindrop Size Distribution in the Meiyu Season Observed in Eastern China

Chen

Yang

2013

Journal of the Meteorological Society of Japan

153

191

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Characteristics of raindrop size distribution (DSD) during the Meiyu season are studied using ground-based disdrometer measurements carried out in eastern China (Nanjing) from 2009 to 2011. The observational spectra are divided into convective and stratiform types. The results show that the histograms of the logarithm of the generalized intercept parameter (log10NW) and mass-weighted mean diameter of raindrops (Dm) are negatively and positively skewed, respectively, for both convective and stratiform rain. The absolute value of the skewness coefficient is higher for convective rain than for stratiform rain, in particular for the log10NW distribution. The mean log10NW and Dm values are 3.80 and 1.71 mm for convective rain and 3.45 and 1.30 mm for stratiform rain, respectively. The shape (μ)̶slope (Λ) relationship of the gamma distribution and the radar reflectivity (Z)̶rain rate (R) relationship are also derived for convective rain. The Z̶R relationship is found to be Z = 368R 1.21 . The interpretation of the statistical parameters obtained in this study and possible mechanisms that yield difference and similarity in comparison with those in previous studies are discussed.

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Section: Summary and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The first one is Z = 300R 1.4 (Fulton et al 1998), the current default equation used in the Next-Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD) of the United States. The other one is Z = 250R 1.2 , which is generally better for tropical rainfall events (Rosenfeld et al 1993).…”

Section: Z̶r Relationshipmentioning

confidence: 99%

Statistical Characteristics of Raindrop Size Distribution in the Meiyu Season Observed in Eastern China

Chen

Yang

2013

Journal of the Meteorological Society of Japan

153

191

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“…1). Further details about the network can be found in Keenan et al (1988), Rosenfeld et al (1993), Short et al (1993), Steiner et al (1995), andSteiner (1996).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sensitivity of Monthly Three-Dimensional Radar-Echo Characteristics to Sampling Frequency

Steiner¹,

Houze²

1998

Journal of the Meteorological Society of Japan

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Estimates of any precipitation characteristics based on temporally sparse observations entail uncertainty because of the natural variability of rainfall in space and time. This study measures the sampling-related uncertainties of monthly mean reflectivity profile and surface rainfall distribution. Radar and rain gauge data collected during the 1993/94 monsoon season at Darwin, Australia, are used to show the sensitivity of monthly three-dimensional radar-echo and precipitation characteristics to the frequency of observation. The data are partitioned into convective, stratiform, and anvil components according to the horizontal and vertical structure of the echoes. The analyses of this study reveal the expected trend that the uncertainties of estimated precipitation characteristics using infrequent observations scale with rainfall amount. The results have implications for climatological studies using spaceborne observation platforms revisiting a given area intermittently.The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite radar, which will revisit a given 500km by 500km region approximately twice daily, will likely encounter significant problems in estimating the vertical profile of radar reflectivity in the tropics. Monthly mean reflectivity statistics (based on observations within 150km of the Darwin radar) exhibit a sampling-related uncertainty of about 20% in both rain and snow. In addition, the radar signal of the TRMM satellite will be highly attenuated below the 00C level, and the precipitation radar will be insensitive to reflectivity less than about 20 dBZ. Therefore, the spaceborne radar will have an obscured view of the vertical precipitation structure. Reliable reflectivity statistics based on TRMM satellite radar data may be obtained primarily within an altitude range of about 5-7.5km-an altitude range though that is important for cloud electrification because of the mixed-phase precipitation processes taking place there. The sampling uncertainty, signal attenuation, and radar sensitivity vary with precipitation type. Moreover, estimation of the convective rain fraction will be compromised by uncertainties in the echo classification as well as a choice of Z -R relation. These results imply the importance of information collected by ground validation site radars to improve upon TRMM satellite estimates of precipitation characteristics and the derived vertical profile of latent heating.

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“…6) from the Lubbock (KLBB) Weather Surveillance Radar-1998 Doppler (WSR-88D) were near 611 mm (24.07 in). For the duration of the event, the KLBB rainfall estimation employed the tropical Z-R relationship (Rosenfield et al 1993):…”

Section: Event Overview and Radar Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Independence Day holiday weekend 2010 flood on the southern plains of West Texas

Vitale¹,

Lipe²,

Lindley³

2015

J. Operational Meteor.

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An exceptionally rare flood and flash flood took place on the southern plains of West Texas during the Independence Day holiday weekend of 2010. Several daily and monthly record rainfall totals were broken across a wide region during this multi-day event. Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport recorded a storm total rainfall of 155 mm (6.12 in) over four days and set daily records on 2-3 July when 56 mm (2.19 in) and 83 mm (3.27 in) were observed, respectively. The most notable impact was the failure of an earthen dam that emptied a 2.4  10 5 m 2 (or 60 ac) lake along the Upper Brazos River. The resulting flood ruptured pipelines that led to an oil spill. Much of this excessive rainfall was due to the influence of moisture from the remnants of Hurricane Alex. This abundant tropical moisture set the stage to create heavy rainfall from 1 July through 4 July that reached a peak during the overnight of 3-4 July owing to a mesoscale convective vortex. Warm-rain precipitation production processes were greatly enhanced during this event and contributed to excessive heavy rainfall.

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General Probability-matched Relations between Radar Reflectivity and Rain Rate

Cited by 222 publications

References 0 publications

Statistical Characteristics of Raindrop Size Distribution in the Meiyu Season Observed in Eastern China

Statistical Characteristics of Raindrop Size Distribution in the Meiyu Season Observed in Eastern China

Sensitivity of Monthly Three-Dimensional Radar-Echo Characteristics to Sampling Frequency

Independence Day holiday weekend 2010 flood on the southern plains of West Texas

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