Rain rate estimation by simplified method using UHF wind profiler measurement at KMITL

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a simplified method for rain rate estimation only using simple parameters instead of the fitting or retrieval calculation using data of UHF wind profiler measurement, which operated by King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) in Bangkok, Thailand. The simple parameters in this method use only the peak position of rain echo and Doppler velocity of clear air echo from Doppler spectral for estimated rain drop size distribution (DSD), which more important to calculate rain rate. Doppler spectra of UHF wind profiler at KMITL during the rainy season are used for testing the availability of this simplified rain estimation method. Rough agreement between rain rate estimation from the surface rain gauge and UHF wind profiler at KMITL can be seen at the range of low rain rate. At the range of high rain rate, the estimation by this method does not correspond to the surface rain gauge since the Doppler spectra seems saturated with too strong rain echo.