Correction of path integrated attenuation using data from two X-band ground-based radars and GPM

Abstract

This study attempts to correct the attenuation of the radar reflectivity factor from two X-band radars in Cyprus, using a constrained attenuation correction method. This research was implemented under the assumption that the difference between the reflectivity measured by each of the ground radars, on the one hand, and the reflectivity measured by the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission, on the other hand, equals the path integrated attenuation (PIA). This is because solely the reflectivity data at horizontal polarization have been used so far. Various parameter combinations of linear coefficients for the constrained correction were tested empirically, using GPM DPR data as a reference. The results showed that no single parameter combination can be consistently effective, and highlighted the need for event- and radar-specific attenuation correction.