High resolution rainfall mapping in the Dallas-Fort Worth urban demonstration network

Flooding is one of the most catastrophic disasters in the world. Radar rainfall estimation for flash flood forecasting in small, urban catchments is an important accomplishment of CASA. A K_dp (specific differential propagation phase) based rainfall algorithm was developed using the K_dp values of X-band radars. The performance of this rainfall algorithm is evaluated for all major rainfall events using a gauge network in the center of CASA IP1 test bed for a 5- year period. The cross comparison with gauge estimates shows great improvement compared to the current state-of-the-art. Since the beginning of 2012, CASA has been involved in developing the first urban weather demonstration network in Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area. This paper will summarize the performance of the radar rainfall product in the IP1 network. In addition, the implementation of CASA QPE (quantitative precipitation estimation) system in DFW Urban Demonstration Network will also be presented.