Investigation of tropical rain cells with ERS SAR imagery and ground-based weather radar

Abstract

ERS-1/2 SAR images acquired over ocean areas showing radar signatures of four different kinds of tropical rain cells, ordinary storm cells, supercell storms, multicell storms, and squall lines, are presented. One ERS-2 SAR image showing radar signature of a squall line south of Singapore is compared with simultaneously acquired ground-based weather radar data. Matching of features in the SAR and weather radar data helped locating the gust front and the area of updraft convergence, and suggested an explanation of the mottled structure associated with the rain band. It is also shown that the area of heavy rain (> 50 mm/hr) is associated with a reduction of backscattered radar power, which is likely due to attenuation by rain drops in the atmosphere.