Precipitation Retrievals from Satellite Combined Radar and Radiometer Observations

Abstract

This chapter provides a unified perspective on a broad class of approaches to derive precipitation estimates from satellite combined radar and radiometer observations based on the optimal estimation theory. These approaches are based on the optimal estimation theory and are numerical equivalent to an optimization problem. Irrespective of the procedure used to address the optimization, challenges related to mismatch between the large mismatches between the radar and radiometer footprint sizes, the ill-posed character of the mathematical problem and errors in the forward models need to be effectively mitigated. Approaches used in the TRMM and GPM combined algorithms as well as their benefits and limitations are discussed in the chapter. Aspects requiring improvement and potential solutions are also presented in the chapter.