Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Rain rate estimation from a synergetic use of SSM/I, AVHRR and meso-scale numerical model data

  • Published:
Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

In this paper a retrieval technique for estimating rainfall rates is introduced. The novel feature of this technique is the combination of two satellite radiometers — the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) and the Advanced Very High-Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) — with mesoscale weather prediction model data. This offers an adjustment of the model atmospheres to reality which is necessary for calculating brightness temperatures that can be compared with microwave satellite measurements.

In sensitivity studies it was found that the estimation of precipitation is determined to a high degree by the particle size distribution of rain and snow, especially by the size distribution of solid hydrometeors. These studies also reveal the influence of the knowledge of the correct cloud coverage inside a SSM/I pixel and the importance of using a realistic temperature profile instead of using standard atmospheres.

The retrieval technique is based on radiative transfer calculations using the model of Kummerow et al. (1989). The algorithm consists of two parts: First Guess (FG) brightness temperatures for the SSM/I frequencies are generated as a function of the cloud top height and the cloud coverage, derived from AVHRR data and predictions from a meso-scale model. The rainfall rate of different types of clouds containing raindrops, ice particles and coexisting ice and water hydrometeors is then calculated as a function of the cloud top height. As an example, a strong convective rain event over the western part of Europe and over the Alps is taken to evaluate the performance of this technique. Good agreement with radar data from the German Weather Service was achieved. Compared to statistical rainfall algorithms, the current algorithm shows a better performance of detecting rainfall areas.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adler, R. F., Negri, A. J., Keehn, P. R., Hakkarinen, I. M., 1993: Estimation of monthly rainfall over Japan and surrounding waters from a combination of low-orbit microwave and geosynchronous IR dataJ. Appl. Meteor.,32, 335–356.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arkin, P. A., 1979: The relationship between fractional covarage of high cloud and rainfall accumulations during GATE over the B-Scale Array.Mon. Wea. Rev.,107, 1382–1387

    Google Scholar 

  • Bauer, P., Schanz, L., Bennartz, R., Schlüssel, P., 1997: Outlook for Combined TMI-VIRS algorithms for TRMM: Lessons from the PIP and AIP Projects.J. Atmos. Sci., (in press).

  • Bennartz, R., Fischer, J., Schaale, M., Bauer, P., 1997: Precipitation identification over sea and coastal regions using combined passive microwave and infrared data.Tellus, (in press).

  • Blanchard, D. C., Spencer, A. T., 1970: Experiments on the generation of raindrop-size distribution by drop breakup.J. Atmos. Sci.,27, 101–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bohren, C. F., Huffman, D. R., 1983:Absorption and Scattering of Light by Small Particles. New York, Chichester, Brisbane, Toronto, Singapore: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferriday, J. G., Avery, S. K., 1994: Passive microwave remote sensing of rainfall with SSM/I: algorithm development and implementation.J. Appl. Meteor.,33, 1587–1596.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fujiwara, M., 1965: Raindrop-size distribution from individual storms.J. Atmos. Sci.,22, 585–591.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gasiewski, A. J., Staelin, D H., 1990: Numerical modeling of passive microwave O2 observations over precipitation.Radio Science,25, 217–235.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gunn, K. L. S., Marshall, J. S., 1958: The distribution with size of aggregate snowflakes.J. Appl. Meteor.,15, 452–461.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haferman, J. L., Krajewski, W. F., Smith, T. F., 1994: Threedimensional aspects of radiative transfer in remote sensing of precipitation: application to the 1986 COHMEX storm.J. Appl. Meteor.,33, 1609–1622.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hollinger, J. P., 1970: Passive microwave measurements of the sea surface.J. Geophys. Res.,75, 5209–5213.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hollinger, J. P., 1971: Passive microwave measurements of the sea surface roughness.IEEE Transactions on Geoscience Electronics, GE-9, 165.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hollinger, J. P., Lo, R., Poe, G., 1987: Special Sensor Microwave/Imager User's Guide. Naval Research Laboratory.

  • Hollinger, J. P., 1991:DMSP special Sensor Microwave/Imager Calibration/Validation, Final Report Vol.II, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375-5000, 1–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kummerow, C., Mack, R. A., Hakkarinen, I. M., 1989: A self-consistency approach to improve microwave rainfall rate estimation from space.J. Appl. Meteor.,28, 869–884.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kummerow, C., Giglio, L., 1994a: A passive microwave technique for estimating rainfall and vertical structure information from space. Part I: algorithm description.J. Appl. Meteor.,33, 3–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kummerow, C., Giglio, L., 1994b: A passive microwave technique for estimating rainfall and vertical structure information from space. Part II: applications to SSM/I data.J. Appl. Meteor.,33, 19–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laube, M., Höller, H., 1988: Cloud Physics. Landolt-Börnstein In: Fischer, G. (ed.)New Series, V. Bd.4b. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, London, Paris, Tokyo: Springer, pp. 9–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liebe, H. J., 1985: An updated model for millimeter wave propagation in moist air.Radio Science,20, 1069–1089.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, G., Curry, J., 1992: Retrieval of precipitation from satellite microwave measurment using both emission and scattering.J. Geophys. Res.,97, 9959–9974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Magono, C., Lee, C. W., 1966: Meteorological classification of natural snow crystals.Journal of the Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University. Series 7 (Geophysics),2, No. 4., 312–335.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marshall, J. S., Palmer, W. McK., 1948: The distribution of raindrops with size.J. Meteor.,5, 165–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason, B. J., Andrews, J. B., 1960: Drop-size distributions from various types of rain.Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc.,86, 346–353.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mugnai, A., Smith, E. A., Tripoli, G. J., 1993: Foundations for statistical-physical precipitation retrieval from passive microwave satellite measurements: Part II: Emissionsource and generalized weighting-function properties of a time-dependent cloud-radiation model.J. Appl. Meteor.,32, 17–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Negri, A. J., Nelkin, E. I., Adler, R. F., Huffman, G. J., Kummerow, C., 1995: Evaluation of Passive Microwave Precipitation Algorithms in Wintertime Midlatitude Situations.J. Atmos. Ocean Technol.,12, 20–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • NOAA, 1995: TerrainBase Global DTM Version 1.0. NESDIS National Geophysical Data Center, Boulder, Colorado 80303-3328, U.S.A.

    Google Scholar 

  • Petty, G. W., 1994: Physical retrievals of over-ocean rain rate from multichannel microwave imagery. Part I: Theoretical characteristics of normalized polarization and scattering indices.Meteorol. Atmos. Phys.,54, 79–99.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prabhakara, C., Dalu, G. L., Liberti, J. J., Nucciarone, R., Suhasini, 1992: Rainfall estimation over oceans from SMMR and SSM/I microwave data.J. Appl. Meteor.,31, 532–552.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prenosil, T., Becker, H. G., 1990: Das “Boundary Layer” Modell des Geophysikalischen Beratungsdienstes der Bundeswehr. Ein regionales Wettervorhersageverfahren.3. Auflage (in Vorbereitung) zu Fachliche Mitteilungen, Nr.211, Amt für Wehrgeophysik, Traben-Trabach, Getr. Pag.

  • Prigent, C., Sand, A., Klapisz, C., Lemaitre, Y., 1994: Physical retrieval of liquid water contents in a North Atlantic cyclone using SSM/I data.Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc.,120, 1179–1207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pruppacher, H. R., Klett, J. D., 1978:Microphysics of Clouds and Precipitation. Dordrecht: Reidel. D.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberti, L., Haferman, J., Kummerow, C., 1994: Microwave radiative transfer through horizontally inhomogeneous clouds.J. Geophys. Res.,99, 16607–16718.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saunders, R. W., Kriebel, K. T., 1988: An inproved method for detecting clear sky and cloudy radiances from AVHRR data.Int. J. Remote Sensing,9, 123–150.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schols, J. S., Weinman, J. A., Stewart, R. E., Lawson, R. P., 1995: The retrieval of dry and wet snow distributions from SSM/I measurements and MM5 forecast results.Proceedings of the IGARSS'95,Vol. II, IEEE, 887–889.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sekhon, R. S., Srivastava, R. C., 1970: Snow size spectra and radar reflectivity.J. Atmos. Sci.,34, 367–381.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, E. A., Mugnai, A., Cooper, H. J., Tripoli, G. J., Xiang, X., 1992: Foundations for statistical-physical precipitation retrieval from passive microwave satellite measurements: Part I: Brightness temperature property of a time — dependent cloud — radiation model.J. Appl. Meteor.,31, 506–531.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stogryn, A., 1972: The emissivity of sea foam at microwave frequencies.J. Geophys. Res.,77, 1658–1666.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ulbrich, C. W., 1983: Natural variations in the analytical form of the raindrop size distribution.J. Climate Appl. Meteor.,22, 1764–1775.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. B. Drüen

    Present address: Linder Höhe, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt Köln, D-51147, Köln, Germany

  2. G. Heinemann

    Present address: Meteorologisches Institut der Universität Bonn, Auf dem Hügel 20, D-53121, Bonn, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

    Authors
    1. B. Drüen
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    2. G. Heinemann
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    Additional information

    With 12 Figures

    Rights and permissions

    Reprints and permissions

    About this article

    Cite this article

    Drüen, B., Heinemann, G. Rain rate estimation from a synergetic use of SSM/I, AVHRR and meso-scale numerical model data. Meteorl. Atmos. Phys. 66, 65–85 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01030449

    Download citation

    • Received:

    • Revised:

    • Issue Date:

    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01030449

    Keywords

    Search

    Navigation