Microphysical Characteristics of Raindrop Size Distribution and Implications for Dual-Polarization Radar Quantitative Precipitation Estimations in the Tianshan Mountains, China

In order to improve the understanding of microphysical characteristics raindrop size distribution (DSD) under different rainfall rates (R) classes, and broaden knowledge impact radar wavelengths R classes on QPE dual-polarization radars in Tianshan Mountains, a typical arid area China, we investigated DSD across dual-polarimetric relationships based data from PARSIVEL2 disdrometer at Zhaosu Mountains during summers 2020 2021. As class increased, became wider flatter. The mean value mass-weighted diameters (Dm) while logarithm normalized intercept parameters (log10 Nw) decreased after increasing C1 C3, as increased. largest contributions reflectivity factor large raindrops (diameter > 3 mm) accounted for approximately 50% 97%, respectively, 84% total were small < 1 mm). Dual-polarization radars—horizontal polarization (Zh), differential (Zdr), specific phase (Kdp)—were retrieved using T-matrix scattering method. DSD-based polarimetric relations single-parameter (R(Zh), R(Kdp)), double-parameters (R(Zh,Zdr), R(Kdp,Zdr)) S-, C-, X-bands derived evaluated. Overall, performance R(Kdp) (R(Kdp,Zdr)) scheme was better than that R(Zh) (R(Zh,Zdr)) three bands. Furthermore, have first time confirmed quantified differences relationship schemes, wavelengths, areas China. Therefore, selecting an appropriate band is necessary ability compared with independent all classes.