A 3D multiparameter radar simulation procedure for rainfall studies is described. The procedure begins with the simulated 3D fields based on the 1986 COHMEX experiment and a mesoscale meteorological model of convective storm. Given the 3D rainfall fields, the sampling volume integration process involved in radar measurements is simulated to give radar observables, namely, reflectivity, differential reflectivity and differential phase shift. Numerous effects are accounted for including: antenna beam pattern, horizontal and vertical gradients, atmospheric and rain attenuation. As a final step, the radar observables are corrupted with a random measurement error to account for the radar hardware system noise and other sources of uncertainty. The simulated radar observables are qualitatively assessed. The simulator is a useful tool for engineers and hydrometeorologists who are interested in examining radar measurement errors and their effect on other variables of interest.
展开▼
