Validation of GPM DPR Rainfall and Drop Size Distributions Using Disdrometer Observations in the Western Mediterranean

Dual-frequency precipitation radar (DPR) on the Core GPM satellite provides spaceborne three-dimensional observations of precipitation fields and surface rainfall rate with quasi-global coverage. The present study evaluates the behavior of liquid precipitation intensity, radar reflectivity factor (Z...

ver descrição completa

Detalhes bibliográficos
Autores: Peinó, Eric, Bech, Joan, Polls, Francesc, Udina Sistach, Mireia, Petracca, M., Adirosi, E., González-Herrero, Sergi, Boudevillain, B.
Formato: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2024
País:España
Recursos:Universidad de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de la UB
OAI Identifier:oai:dnet:ubarcelona__::1e3d657f3945e7a681ce1b7342230b87
Acesso em linha:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/218272
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palavra-chave:Mediterrània occidental
Precipitacions (Meteorologia)
Radar
Western Mediterranean
Precipitations (Meteorology)
Descrição
Resumo:Dual-frequency precipitation radar (DPR) on the Core GPM satellite provides spaceborne three-dimensional observations of precipitation fields and surface rainfall rate with quasi-global coverage. The present study evaluates the behavior of liquid precipitation intensity, radar reflectivity factor (ZKu and ZKa) and drop size distribution (DSD) parameters (weighted mean diameter Dm and intercept parameter Nw) of the GPM DPR-derived products, version 07, from 2014 to 2023. Observations from seven Parsivel disdrometers located in different topographic zones in the Western Mediterranean are taken as ground references. Four matching techniques between satellite estimates and ground level observations were tested, and the best results were found for the so-called optimal comparison approach. Overall, GPM DPR products captured the variability of the observed DSD well at different rainfall intensities. However, overestimation of the mean Dm and underestimation of the mean Nw were observed, being much more sensitive to errors in drop diameters larger than 1.5 mm. Moreover, the lowest errors were found for radar reflectivity factor and Dm, and the highest for Nw and rainfall rate. In addition, the GPM DPR convective and stratiform classification was tested, and a substantial overestimation of stratiform cases compared to disdrometer observations were found.