Articles | Volume 13, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-1797-2020
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-1797-2020
Research article
 | 
08 Apr 2020
Research article |  | 08 Apr 2020

Estimating raindrop size distributions using microwave link measurements: potential and limitations

Thomas C. van Leth, Hidde Leijnse, Aart Overeem, and Remko Uijlenhoet

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Cited articles

Angulo-Martínez, M. and Barros, A.: Measurement uncertainty in rainfall kinetic energy and intensity relationships for soil erosion studies: An evaluation using PARSIVEL disdrometers in the southern Appalachian mountains, Geomorphology, 228, 28–40, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2014.07.036, 2015. a
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Cao, Q., Zhang, G., Brandes, E. A., and Schuur, T. J.: Polarimetric radar rain estimation through retrieval of drop size distribution using a Bayesian approach, J. Appl. Meteorol. Climatol., 49, 973–990, https://doi.org/10.1175/2009JAMC2227.1, 2010. a
Cherkassky, D., Ostrometzky, J., and Messer, H.: Precipitation classification using measurements from commercial microwave links, IEEE T. Geosci. Remote, 52, 2350–2356, https://doi.org/10.1109/TGRS.2013.2259832, 2014. a
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Short summary
We present a method of using collocated microwave link instruments to estimate the average size distribution of raindrops along a path of several kilometers. Our method is validated using simulated fields as well as five laser disdrometers installed along a path. We also present preliminary results from an experimental setup measuring at 26 and 38 GHz along a 2.2 km path. We show that a retrieval on the basis of microwave links can be highly accurate, provided the base power level is stable.
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