Passive Microwave Rainfall Error Analysis Using High-Resolution X-Band Dual-Polarization Radar Observations in Complex Terrain

Difficulties in the representation of rainfall variability using ground-based sensors over mountainous areas necessitate the use of high-resolution satellite precipitation data sets from combined passive microwave (PMW) and geostationary infrared observations. The accuracy of these data sets depends greatly on the uncertainty characteristics of the PMW sensor retrievals and sampling frequency. In this paper, we evaluate the retrieval error characteristics from different PMW sensors over mountainous terrain using high temporal and spatial resolution ground-based radar (GR) reference rainfall data sets from two field experiments: one in the mid-Atlantic East Coast of the United States and the second in the Northeastern Italian Alps. We extracted matchups of PMW/GR rainfall based on a matching methodology that identifies GR volume scans coincident with PMW overpasses, and scales GR parameters to the satellite products’ nominal spatial resolution. Different PMW precipitation retrieval algorithms are evaluated for four PMW sensors. The error analysis shows varying error characteristics across different PMW retrievals. Moreover, the magnitude-dependent systematic error, going from overestimation or weak underestimation of light precipitation to mainly underestimation of heavier precipitation, shows weak covariation with the ground reference. Detection capabilities for all sensors increase markedly with an increasing reference rate and convective occurrence because of the more pronounced ice-scattering signal associated with deeper convection and high rain rates.