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

Zhu, Jingxuan, Zhang, Shuliang, Yang, Qiqi, Shen, Qi, Zhuo, Lu and Dai, Qiang 2021. Comparison of rainfall microphysics characteristics derived by numerical weather prediction modelling and dual‐frequency precipitation radar. Meteorological Applications 28 (3) , e2000. 10.1002/met.2000

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Abstract

<p>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.</p>

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Earth and Environmental Sciences
Publisher:	Royal Meteorological Society
ISSN:	1350-4827
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	15 November 2022
Date of Acceptance:	30 April 2021
Last Modified:	16 May 2023 02:57
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/153231

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