Parametric Rainfall Retrieval Algorithms for Passive Microwave Radiometers

Abstract A methodology is described to construct fully parametric rainfall retrieval algorithms for a variety of passive microwave sensors that exist today and are planned for the future. The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Microwave Imager (TMI) is used to retrieve nonraining geophysical parameters. The method then blends these background geophysical parameters with three-dimensional precipitation fields obtained by matching the TRMM precipitation radar (PR) reflectivity profiles with cloud-resolving model simulations to produce a consistent three-dimensional atmospheric description. Based upon this common description, radiative transfer simulations corresponding to specific microwave sensors are then employed to compute radiances from clear and rainy scenes, as might be seen by any specified microwave radiometer. Last, a Bayesian retrieval methodology is used in conjunction with this database to derive the most likely surface rainfall as well as its vertical structure. By avoiding any depende...

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