Comparison of rainfall microphysics characteristics derived by numerical weather prediction modelling and dual-frequency precipitation radar

Meteorological applications

article

Jingxuan Zhu¹  Shuliang Zhang¹  Qiqi Yang¹  Qi Shen¹  Lu Zhuo²  Qiang Dai¹ 

[1] Key Laboratory of VGE of Ministry of Education, Nanjing Normal University;Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield;Department of Civil Engineering, University of Bristol

关键词: GPM;    raindrop size distribution;    rainfall;    rainfall kinetic energy;    weather radar;    WRF;   

DOI  :  10.1002/met.2000

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Wiley

【 摘 要 】

The understanding of large-scale rainfall microphysical characteristics plays a significant role in meteorology, hydrology and natural hazards managements. Traditional instruments for estimating raindrop size distribution (DSD), including disdrometers and ground dual-polarization radars, are available only in limited areas. However, the development of space-based radars and mesoscale numerical weather prediction models would allow for DSD estimation on a large scale. This study investigated the performance of the weather research and forecasting (WRF) model and the global precipitation measurement mission (GPM) dual-frequency precipitation radar for DSD retrieval under different conditions. The DSD parameters ( D m and N w ), rain rate (R ), rainfall kinetic energy ( KE ) and radar reflectivity ( Z ) were estimated in Chilbolton, United Kingdom, by using long-term disdrometer observations for validation. The rainfall kinetic energy–rain rate ( KE–R ) and radar reflectivity–rain rate ( Z–R ) relationships were explored using a disdrometer, the WRF model and GPM. It was found that the DSD parameter distribution trends of the three approaches are similar although the WRF model has larger D m and smaller N w values. In terms of the rainfall microphysical relationship, GPM performs better when both Ku- and Ka-band precipitation radars (KuPR and KaPR) observe precipitation simultaneously ( R  > 0.5 mm h −1 ), while the WRF model shows high accuracy in light rain ( R  < 0.5 mm h −1 ). The fusion of GPM and WRF model is recommended for the improved understanding of rainfall microphysical characteristics in ungauged areas.

【 授权许可】

CC BY|CC BY-NC|CC BY-NC-ND