Retrieval of rainfall parameters from passive microwave data based on the model of horizontally inhomogeneous atmosphere

The “beamfilling” rainfall retrieval algorithm (BFA) is presented, which determines FOV-averaged rainfall parameters through the retrieval of the horizontal hydrometeor structure within microwave radiometer´s FOV. The algorithm combines the inversion of the appropriate approximation of the horizontally inhomogeneous radiative transfer model with the use of cloud/radiative simulations. Results of testing the algorithm for cloud/radiative simulation and for TRMM measurements are shown