2D weather radar data simulator using specific reflectivity and phase measurements for the rain rate estimation algorithms validation

A modular simulator of 2D polarimetric rain radar measurements images has been developed based on the Rayleigh approximation. A dual physical-statistical model of the rain and a geometrical description of the rain downpours were considered in order to generate a set of the specific measurements for the rain rate estimation. Thus, the simulator produces images corresponding to the polarimetric radar data. It is a flexible tool that allows the user to choose among a variety of parameterizations of the rain process as well as the radar system involved in the measuring of the polarimetric variables. It has been illustrated on one example how the proposed simulator gives expected results from generated data. The simulator was also used as a laboratory to validate and compare some rain rate estimation algorithms. The obtained results go in harmony with known results in the literature. It is envisageable to implement additional modules in the simulator, such as the Mie and the T-Matrix approximations and the Doppler radial winds modules.