Radar rainfall estimation technique when attenuation is negligible

摘要

A method of using a bipolar radar to estimate a precipitation rate for rain that generates negligible attenuation. The method includes using the bipolar radar to measure the differential phase Phi_DP and the apparent reflectivity Z_e on at least one of horizontal polarization H and vertical polarization V over a given interval [r₀, r₁] of path radii relative to the radar. An estimate of the value N_o* representative of the dimensional distribution of rain drops is made on the basis of the differential phase difference in the range r₀ to r₁ and on the basis of an integral of a function of the apparent reflectivity Z_e along the interval [r₀, r₁]. A value is deduced for the precipitation rate at a point from N₀* and the apparent reflectivity at the point.