Radar multi-sensor (RAMS) quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE)

Quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) continues to be one of the principal objectives for weather researchers and forecasters. The ability of radar to measure over broad spatial areas in short temporal successions encourages its application in the pursuit of accurate rainfall estimation, where radar reflectivity-rainfall (Z-R) relations have been traditionally used to derive quantitative precipitation estimation. The purpose of this research is to present the development of a regional dual polarization QPE process known as the RAdar Multi-Sensor QPE (RAMS QPE). This scheme applies the dual polarization radar rain rate estimation algorithms developed at Colorado State University into an adaptable QPE system. The methodologies used to combine individual radar scans, and then merge them into a mosaic are described. The implementation and evaluation is performed over a domain that occurs over a complex terrain environment, such that local radar coverage is compromised by blockage. This area of interest is concentrated around the Pigeon River Basin near Asheville, NC. In this mountainous locale, beam blockage, beam overshooting, orographic enhancement, and the unique climactic conditions complicate the development of reliable QPE's from radar. The QPE precipitation fields evaluated in this analysis will stem from the dual polarization radar data obtained from the local NWS WSR-88DP radars as well as the NASA NPOL research radar.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Colorado State University. Libraries

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Authors dc:creator

• Willie, Delbert Darrell, author
• Chandrasekar, V., advisor
• Mielke, Paul, committee member
• Jayasumana, Anura P., committee member
• Notaros, Branislav, committee member

• QPE
• X-band
• rainfall
• dual polarization

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.

Language dc:language.iso

eng, English

Identifier URI

https://doi.org/10.25675/3.018362

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:mountainscholar.org:10217/167066