. 24/7 Space News .
EARTH OBSERVATION
New method makes weather forecasts right as rain
by Staff Writers
Columbia MO (SPX) Jun 19, 2018

file image only

Meteorologists have known for some time that rainfall forecasts have flaws, as failure to take into account factors such as evaporation can affect their accuracy. Now, researchers from the University of Missouri have developed a system that improves the precision of forecasts by accounting for evaporation in rainfall estimates, particularly for locations 30 miles or more from the nearest National Weather Service radar.

"Right now, forecasts are generally not accounting for what happens to a raindrop after it is picked up by radar," said Neil Fox, associate professor of atmospheric science in the School of Natural Resources at MU.

"Evaporation has a substantial impact on the amount of rainfall that actually reaches the ground. By measuring that impact, we can produce more accurate forecasts that give farmers, agriculture specialists and the public the information they need."

Fox and doctoral student Quinn Pallardy used dual-polarization radar, which sends out two radar beams polarized horizontally and vertically, to differentiate between the sizes of raindrops. The size of a raindrop affects both its evaporation rate and its motion, with smaller raindrops evaporating more quickly but encountering less air resistance.

By combining this information with a model that assessed the humidity of the atmosphere, the researchers were able to develop a tracing method that followed raindrops from the point when they were observed by the radar to when they hit the ground, precisely determining how much evaporation would occur for any given raindrop.

Researchers found that this method significantly improved the accuracy of rainfall estimates, especially in locations at least 30 miles from the nearest National Weather Service radar. Radar beams rise higher into the atmosphere as they travel, and as a result, radar that does not account for evaporation becomes less accurate at greater distances because it observes raindrops that have not yet evaporated.

"Many of the areas that are further from the radar have a lot of agriculture," Fox said. "Farmers depend on rainfall estimates to help them manage their crops, so the more accurate we can make forecasts, the more those forecasts can benefit the people who rely on them."

Fox said more accurate rainfall estimates also contribute to better weather forecasts in general, as rainfall can affect storm behavior, air quality and a variety of other weather factors.

The study, "Accounting for rainfall evaporation using dual-polarization radar and mesoscale model data," was published in the Journal of Hydrology. Funding was provide by the National Science Foundation (Award Numbers IIA-1355406 and AGS-1258358). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the funding agency. The School of Natural Resources is located in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.


Related Links
University of Missouri-Columbia
Earth Observation News - Suppiliers, Technology and Application


Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly


paypal only
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal


EARTH OBSERVATION
How far to go for satellite cloud image forecasting into operation
Beijing, China (SPX) May 17, 2018
Cloud is a tracer for a variety of significant weather changes. Cloud images obtained from satellite remote sensing are of great help to weather forecasters in understanding the past and present weather processes in a macroscopic way. Forecasts directly made out of satellite cloud images are what meteorologists and forecasters dream about. Recent studies have shown that it has become possible to produce satellite cloud image forecasts for the next few, dozens, or even tens of hours. A research pap ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

EARTH OBSERVATION
NASA astronauts install high-def cameras during spacewalk

ECOSTRESS among science payloads on next ISS mission

Possible launch date of Russia's Nauka module to ISS

Second Space Station mission for Alexander Gerst begins

EARTH OBSERVATION
Sample Return Technology Successfully Tested on Xodiac Rocket

Japan successfully tests H-IIA launch vehicle with new research satellite

Girls' Rocketry Challenge team wins three awards at national model rocketry competition

US Senate introduces measure to upgrade defense against hypersonic threats

EARTH OBSERVATION
NASA spacecraft studying massive Martian dust storm

Opportunity rover sends transmission amid Martian dust storm

NASA encounters the perfect storm for science on Mars

Martian dust storm silences NASA's rover, Opportunity

EARTH OBSERVATION
China confirms reception of data from Gaofen-6 satellite

Experts Explain How China Is Opening International Space Cooperation

Beijing welcomes use of Chinese space station by all UN Nations

China upgrades spacecraft reentry and descent technology

EARTH OBSERVATION
US FCC expands market access for SES O3b MEO constellation

Liftoff as Alexander Gerst returns to space

Lockheed Martin Announces $100 Million Venture Fund Increase

Iridium Continues to Attract World Class Maritime Service Providers for Iridium CertusS

EARTH OBSERVATION
Dutch software makes supercomputer from laptop

Ground-breaking discoveries could create superior alloys with many applications

Scientists predict a new superhard material with unique properties

Modern alchemists are making chemistry greener

EARTH OBSERVATION
Chandra Scouts Nearest Star System for Possible Hazards

Researchers discover a system with three Earth-sized planets

Researchers discover multiple alkali metals in unique exoplanet

The Clarke exobelt, a method to search for possible extraterrestrial civilizations

EARTH OBSERVATION
NASA shares more Pluto images from New Horizons

Juno Solves 39-Year Old Mystery of Jupiter Lightning

NASA Re-plans Juno's Jupiter Mission

New Horizons Wakes for Historic Kuiper Belt Flyby









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.