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Simultaneous Radar Observations of Vertical Profile of Rain Features from Space and Ground at Ku and Ka Bands at a Tropical Location

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Abstract

In this paper parameters of precipitation profiles obtained from precipitation radar aboard tropical rainfall measuring mission satellite and from ground based micro rain radar observations have been compared for different rain events. The dual frequency radar observations of precipitating atmosphere have been utilized to study the vertical profiles of radar reflectivity and rain rate. It is shown that the inclination of the ray path of the satellite borne radar significantly influences the rain rate measurements. The study demonstrates the efficacy of combining space borne and ground-based measurement in obtaining a complete profile of vertical rain structure.

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Acknowledgments

Authors would like to acknowledge the support provided under the projects sponsored by Indian Space Reserach Organisation (ISRO): (1) Space Science Promotion Scheme, (2) Ku-ka band channel modelling for SATCOM links over Indian Region. One of the authors (GR) is a Junior Research Fellow under the project “Atmospheric Studies in the Geophysically Sensitive Tropical to Sub-tropical Transition Region with ST Radar Facility at Calcutta University” funded by Science and Engineering Research Board, DST, New Delhi.

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Correspondence to Animesh Maitra.

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Rakshit, G., Maitra, A. Simultaneous Radar Observations of Vertical Profile of Rain Features from Space and Ground at Ku and Ka Bands at a Tropical Location. MAPAN 31, 291–297 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12647-016-0183-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12647-016-0183-3

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