Ground validation of satellite measurements of precipitation with C-band polarimetric radar

Abstract

Ground validation is an essential part of all satellite precipitation missions aiming to describe clouds and precipitation parameters. It helps to characterize errors, quantify measurement uncertainty, and provide insight into the physical and statistical basis of the retrieval algorithms. Dual-polarization weather radar is a very powerful tool for many important issues of the validation process. This paper presents various aspects considered to develop C-band dual-polarization weather radar products specifically tailored for ground validation of precipitation satellite measurements. Examples are provided by case studies observed with the CNR-ISAC Polar 55C radar operating in Rome (Italy).