Characterization of rainfall signature due to multispectral microwave radiometric data from ground

Ground-based multifrequency microwave radiometric measurements for different sets of frequency channels and precipitation regimes are analyzed. Simulation results are shown to illustrate the potential of the proposed models by selecting, for this study, a wide range of frequencies from 19.0 to 60 GHz, representing the frequency set currently available on the ground-based radiometric system. As a validation of the approach, we have analyzed rain events occurred in Boulder, Colorado. Results are illustrated in terms of comparisons between measurements and model data in order to show that the observed radiometric signatures can be attributed to rainfall scattering and absorption. Rain estimates are also compared with available rain gauge data.