Keywords
Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD), QuikSCAT, SeaWinds, rain, scatterometer, simultaneous wind/rain retrieval, water
Abstract
The Ku-band SeaWinds scatterometer estimates near-surface ocean wind vectors by relating measured backscatter to a geophysical model function for the near-surface vector wind. The conventional wind retrieval algorithm does not explicitly account for SeaWinds' sensitivity to rain, resulting in rain-caused wind retrieval error. A new retrieval method, termed "simultaneous wind/rain retrieval," that estimates both wind and rain from rain-contaminated measurements has been previously proposed and validated with Tropical Rain Measuring Mission data. Here, the accuracy of rains retrieved by the new method is validated through comparison with the Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD) in coastal storm events. The rains detected by both sensors are comparable, though SeaWinds-estimated rains exhibit greater variability. The performance of simultaneous wind/rain retrieval in flagging excessively rain-contaminated winds is discussed and compared to existing methods. A new rain-only retrieval algorithm for use in rain-backscatter-dominated areas is proposed and tested. A simple noise model for SeaWinds rain estimates is developed, and Monte Carlo simulation is employed to verify the model. The model shows that SeaWinds rain estimates have a standard deviation of 2.5 mm/h, which is higher than the NEXRAD measurements. Thresholding SeaWinds rain estimates at 2 mm/h yields a better rain flag than current rain flag algorithms.
Original Publication Citation
Allen, J. R., and D. G. Long. "An Analysis of SeaWinds-Based Rain Retrieval in Severe Weather Events." Geoscience and Remote Sensing, IEEE Transactions on 43.12 (25): 287-8
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Long, David G. and Allen, Jeffrey R., "An analysis of SeaWinds-based rain retrieval in severe weather events" (2005). Faculty Publications. 335.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/335
Document Type
Peer-Reviewed Article
Publication Date
2005-12-01
Permanent URL
http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/1015
Publisher
IEEE
Language
English
College
Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology
Department
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Copyright Status
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