Advantages of rain measurements using specific differential phase

Abstract

The following advantages of rain measurements using specific differential phase are examined: 1) immunity to beam blockage, 2) immunity to ground clutter canceling, and 3) ease to isolate effects of anomalous propagation. We quantify immunity to beam blockage via examples of measurements that corroborate theoretical expectations. Comparisons of rain accumulations between radar and rain gauges are included. We also contrast beam-filling effects on rain estimates from reflectivity and specific differential phase.