Regional Attenuation Correction of Weather Radar Using a Distributed Microwave-Links Network

Abstract

The complex temporal-spatial variation of raindrop size distribution will affect the precision of precipitation quantitative estimates (QPE) produced from radar data, making it difficult to correct echo attenuation. Given the fact that microwave links can obtain the total path attenuation accurately, we introduce the concept of regional attenuation correction using a multiple-microwave-links network based on the tomographic reconstruction of attenuation coefficients. Derived from the radar-based equation, the effect of rainfall distribution on the propagation of radar and microwave link signals was analyzed. This article focuses on modeling of the tomographic reconstruction of attenuation coefficients and regional attenuation correction algorithms. Finally, a numerical simulation of regional attenuation correction was performed to verify the algorithms employed here. The results demonstrate that the correction coefficient (0.9175) falls between the corrected and initial field of radar reflectivity factor (root mean square error, 2.3476 dBz; average deviation, 0.0113 dBz). Compared with uncorrected data, the accuracy of the corrected radar reflectivity factor was improved by 26.12%, and the corrected rainfall intensity distribution was improved by 51.85% validating the region attenuation correction algorithm. This method can correct the regional attenuation of weather radar echo effectively and efficiently; it can be widely used for the radar attenuation correction and the promotion of quantitative precipitation estimation by weather radar.

Precipitation Monitoring Using Commercial Microwave Links: Current Status, Challenges and Prospectives

“…The results show that the method is effective in recovering the reflectivity information, especially under heavy rainfall conditions. More studies focused on radar attenuation correction using CMLs can be found in [134][135][136][137]. In addition, Cummings et al [138] proposed a mean-field bias adjustment method for a radar QPE based on CMLs, with similar results to a rain gauge-based adjusted QPE.…”

Development of Capacitive Rain Gauge for Marine Environment

“…The measurement for oceanic precipitation is one of the basic elements of marine meteorological observation, which is significant to the study of marine weather and climate change, water, and energy cycle system as well as numerical weather forecast [1][2][3]. Rainfall measurement can be obtained directly by rain gauge [4,5] and can also be indirectly estimated by weather radar [6] and retrieved by satellite remote sensing [7] and microwave link attenuation [8,9]. Compared with radar estimation, satellite remote sensing, and microwave link attenuation retrieval of rainfall, the accuracy of rainfall measured by rain gauge is the highest and is usually used as a comparison benchmark for evaluating other precipitation measurement methods [10][11][12].…”

Kajian Impelementasi Quality Control Faktor Bright Band dan Atenuasi Radar Cuaca C-Band

“…Atenuasi sinyal merupakan fungsi dari panjang gelombang dimana radar dengan panjang gelombang yang lebih pendek akan mengalami atenuasi yang signifikan [14]. Peristiwa hujan melemahkan gelombang ketika gelombang tersebut bertemu dengan tetes hujan [15].…”