Measurement of Rainfall Rates by Lidar

S. T. Shipley Dept. of Meteorology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisc. 53706

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E. W. Eloranta Dept. of Meteorology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisc. 53706

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J. A. Weinman Dept. of Meteorology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisc. 53706

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Abstract

Monostatic lidar is explored as a means for determining the rainfall rate over an extended atmospheric path with a spatial resolution comparable to that of rain gages. An empirical relationship is established between the optical extinction coefficient of rain βr (km−1) and the rainfall rate R (mm hr−1). Correlation of lidar-derived rainfall extinction and gage rainfall rates at Madison gives
βrR0.74
.

The βr-R relations obtained from the work of other authors compare well with this relationship.

A lidar equation which accounts for the multiple scattering of light in rain is presented. A numerical procedure which derives estimates of βr as a function of range from lidar returns is developed. Examples of lidar-derived rainfall rate range profiles in spatially inhomogeneous thunderstorms are given.

Abstract

Monostatic lidar is explored as a means for determining the rainfall rate over an extended atmospheric path with a spatial resolution comparable to that of rain gages. An empirical relationship is established between the optical extinction coefficient of rain βr (km−1) and the rainfall rate R (mm hr−1). Correlation of lidar-derived rainfall extinction and gage rainfall rates at Madison gives
βrR0.74
.

The βr-R relations obtained from the work of other authors compare well with this relationship.

A lidar equation which accounts for the multiple scattering of light in rain is presented. A numerical procedure which derives estimates of βr as a function of range from lidar returns is developed. Examples of lidar-derived rainfall rate range profiles in spatially inhomogeneous thunderstorms are given.

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