Graphical Abstract
Cifelli, R., V. Chandrasekar, H. Chen, and L. E. Johnson, 2018: High resolution radar quantitative precipitation estimation in the San Francisco Bay Area: Rainfall monitoring for the
urban environment. J. Meteor. Soc. Japan, 96A, 141-155.
https://doi.org/10.2151/jmsj.2018-016
Graphical Abstract with highlights
Highlights:
- Radar quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) over complex terrain such as the San Francisco Bay Area remains a challenge due to the complex spatial and temporal variability of precipitation microphysics.
- The NEXRAD operational radar network is insufficient to provide accurate, short-term near surface rainfall estimates in the Bay Area for urban hydrometeorological applications. This paper describes the deployment of X-band radar system to augment NEXRAD coverage and aid in monitoring precipitation for local forecasters and water managers as well as to better understand precipitation processes occurring in this region.
- The X-band radar can provide high quality rainfall estimates that perform better than NEXRAD-based operational products. The high resolution rainfall monitoring system based on gap-filling radars in this urban region also provides a host of benefits across different sectors of the economy.