X-band estimations of rainfall with differential propagation phase shift measurements

X-band radar differential propagation phase shift measurements of rainfall produce better estimates of light and moderate rainfall with finer spatial and time resolutions than measurements at longer wavelengths (e.g., at S-band). Contaminating effects of the backscatter phase shift at X-band are small for rainfall rates R less than about 15 mm/hour. The specific differential phase shift is relatively insensitive to the details of the drop size distribution but is sensitive to the assumed model of the drop oblateness as a function of its size. Initial experimental data showed that specific differential phase shift-rainfall rate regression obtained for the mean drop shape satisfactorily explains the experimental data for light and moderate rain.