Calibrating the quickSCAT/SeaWinds radar for measuring rainrate over the oceans and improving wind vector estimates

• Published in: IGARSS 2003. 2003 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium. Proceedings (IEEE Cat. No.03CH37477) Vol. 2; pp. 1145 - 1147 vol.2
• Main Authors: Weissman, D.E., Bourassa, M.A., Durden, S.L.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 2003
• Subjects: Atmospheric measurements; Attenuation; Backscatter; Oceans; Radar cross section; Radar measurements; Rain; Reflection; Sea measurements; Sea surface

The sensitivity of the SeaWinds scatterometer to rainrates as small as 0.5 mm/hr (for winds less than 6m/s) is a result of backscattering and attenuation by the rain column. This creates both a need to correct the measured radar cross sections, to improve the accuracy of wind vector estimates, and a...