The Impact of Evaporation on Polarimetric Characteristics of Rain: Theoretical Model and Practical Implications

• DOI: 10.1175/2010jamc2243.1
• Publication Date: 2010-02-16T14:15:25Z
• Authors: Matthew R. Kumjian; Alexander V. Ryzhkov
• Keywords: Weather radar

Abstract Soon, the National Weather Service’s Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) network will be upgraded to allow dual-polarization capabilities. Therefore, it is imperative understand and identify microphysical processes using polarimetric variables. Though melting size sorting of hydrometeors have been investigated, there has relatively little focus devoted impacts evaporation on characteristics rainfall. In this study, a simple explicit bin microphysics one-dimensional rainshaft model constructed quantify (neglecting collisional processes) vertical profiles radar variables in rain. The results are applicable for light moderate rain (<10 mm h−1). modeling indicate that amount occurs subcloud layer strongly dependent initial shape drop distribution aloft, which can assessed with measurements. Understanding how radar-estimated rainfall rates may change height due important quantitative precipitation estimates, especially regions far from or complex terrain where low levels not adequately sampled. addition quantifying effects evaporation, method estimating given environment based measurements reflectivity factor ZH differential ZDR aloft offered. Such technique useful operational meteorologists hydrologists reaching surface, poor low-level coverage such as mountainous locations at large distances radar.