Regional polarimetric quantitative precipitation estimation over the Pigeon River Basin

Quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) from radar measurements remains a principal objective for weather researchers and forecasters. The objective of this paper is to present the development of a regional dual polarization QPE process known as the RAdar Multi-Sensor QPE (RAMS QPE). This scheme applies the dual polarization radar rain rate estimation algorithms developed at Colorado State University into an adaptable QPE system. The methodologies to combine individual radar scans, and then merge them into a mosaic are described. The implementation and evaluation is performed over a domain that occurs near the Pigeon River Basin near Asheville, NC. In this mountainous locale, beam blockage, beam overshooting, orographic enhancement, and the unique climactic conditions complicate the development of reliable QPE's from radar. The QPE precipitation fields evaluated in this analysis will stem from the dual polarization radar data obtained from the local NWS WSR-88DP radars as well as the NASA NPOL research radar.