Estimation of areal precipittion by polarimetric weather radar

• Applicant: Dr. Martin Hagen
• Subject Area: Atmospheric Science
• Term: from 2005 to 2011
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5448369

The main goal of this proposal is to provide algorithms which are able to retrieve areal rain amounts from measurements by a polarimetric Doppler weather radar operating at C-band. Studies show that under certain conditions, e.g. tropical rain or at S-band, polarimetric radar estimates have advantages compared to measurements with a conventional weather radar. To reach this goal knowledge of the raindrop size distribution (RDSD) is necessary. It is also of essential importance to know about the apparent shape of raindrops. Observations with the DLR polarimetric Doppler radar will be used to develop techniques for estimating the RDSD by radar measurements. In co-operation with measurements of drop shapes in a vertical wind tunnel (AQUA-Radar-F, Mainz) a parameterization of the apparent drop shape will be developed. A special observation period (SOP) near Oberpfaffenhofen will be organized together with the other AQUARadar partners and provide data sets which will be used for the evaluation of the algorithms. The degree to which the developed algorithms can be used by envisaged operational polarimetric weather radar systems of the DWD will also be investigated.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants