Combining MWL and MSG SEVIRI Satellite Signals for Rainfall Detection and Estimation

Abstract

Accurate rainfall detection and estimation are essential for many research and operational applications. Traditional rainfall detection and estimation techniques have achieved considerable success but with limitations. Thus, in this study, the relationships between the gauge (point measurement) and the microwave links (MWL) rainfall (line measurement), and the MWL to the satellite observations (area-wide measurement) are investigated for (area-wide) rainfall detection and rain rate retrieval. More precisely, we investigate if the combination of MWL with Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) satellite signals could improve rainfall detection and rainfall rate estimates. The investigated procedure includes an initial evaluation of the MWL rainfall estimates using gauge measurements, followed by a joint analysis of the rainfall estimates with the satellite signals by means of a conceptual model in which clouds with high cloud top optical thickness and large particle sizes have high rainfall probabilities and intensities. The analysis produced empirical thresholds that were used to test the capability of the MSG satellite data to detect rainfall on the MWL. The results from Kenya, during the “long rains” of 2013, 2014, and 2018 show convincing performance and reveal the potential of MWL and MSG data for area-wide rainfall detection.

Keywords

• rainfall detection
• microwave links
• satellite
• MSG SEVIRI
• cloud top properties