Introduction to Radar Rain Retrieval Methods

Abstract

This chapter describes basic principles of precipitation measurement with radar and algorithms to retrieve precipitation rate from the data obtained. The emphasis is on the space-borne radar measurement of precipitation. It concerns peculiar characteristics of spaceborne precipitation radar and algorithms that retrieve precipitation parameters such as rainfall rate. A formulation of radar equation is made in a general form in which the effect of inhomogeneous distribution of rain within a scattering volume can be traced. A coupled equation that can retrieve two drop size distribution parameters from dual-frequency measurement is given. Major error sources in precipitation retrieval with space-borne radar are described.