An experiment to measure the spatial variability of rain drop size distribution using sixteen laser disdrometers

This paper reports on the results of an experiment designed to measure the spatial variability of rain drop size distribution (RDSD) at kilometer scale. Eight dual instruments (16 Parsivel disdrometers) were used to record the RDSD from October 2009 to January 2010. The spatial variability of the RDSD in terms of cross-correlation and changes in the reflectivity-rainfall (Z-R) relationship was calculated. The results provide an estimate of the variability range at spatial scales relevant for spatial radars such as TRMM-PR and GPM-DPR. It was found that the spatial variability of the RDSD in a single episode can exceed the inter-episode variability. This implies that estimates of the RDSD using a few disdrometers are not enough to capture the evolution of the RDSD, and that more detailed areal estimates are needed in order to fully analyze the RDSD. Citation: Tapiador, F. J., R. Checa, and M. de Castro (2010), An experiment to measure the spatial variability of rain drop size distribution using sixteen laser disdrometers, Geophys. Res. Lett., 37, L16803, doi: 10.1029/2010GL044120.