Satellite X-band real aperture radar signatures of nonprecipitating clouds, rain cells and rain bands

This paper describes the results of analysis of heavy precipitation signatures revealed on the real aperture radar (RAR) images of the ocean obtained from Okean series satellites. The signatures are determined by combination of spatial variability of atmospheric (rainfall rate, total cloud liquid water content, distribution in size of hydrometeors, etc.) and oceanic (surface roughness) characteristics. Usage of collocated quasisynchronous visible, infrared and microwave satellite observations and weather maps interpretation of the brightness variations of the RAR images.