Radar and satellite observations of precipitation: space time variability, cross-validation, and fusion

2017 Fall.Includes bibliographical references.Rainfall estimation based on satellite measurements has proven to be very useful for various applications. A number of precipitation products at multiple time and space scales have been developed based on satellite observations. For example, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center has developed a morphing technique (i.e., CMORPH) to produce global precipitation products by combining existing space-based observations and retrievals. The CMORPH products are derived using infrared (IR) brightness temperature information observed by geostationary satellites and passive microwave-(PMW) based precipitation retrievals from low earth orbit satellites. Although space-based precipitation products provide an excellent tool for regional, local, and global hydrologic and climate studies as well as improved situational awareness for operational forecasts, their accuracy is limited due to restrictions of spatial and temporal sampling and the applied parametric retrieval algorithms, particularly for light precipitation or extreme events such as heavy rain. In contrast, ground-based radar is an excellent tool for quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) at finer space-time scales compared to satellites. This is especially true after the implementation of dual-polarization upgrades and further enhancement by urban scale X-band radar networks. As a result, ground radars are often critical for local scale rainfall estimation and for enabling forecasters to issue severe weather watches and warnings. Ground-based radars are also used for validation of various space measurements and products. In this study, a new S-band dual-polarization radar rainfall algorithm (DROPS2.0) is developed that can be applied to the National Weather Service (NWS) operational Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88DP) network. In addition, a real-time high-resolution QPE system is developed for the Engineering Research Center for Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere (CASA) Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) dense radar network, which is deployed for urban hydrometeorological applications via high-resolution observations of the lower atmosphere. The CASA/DFW QPE system is based on the combination of a standard WSR-88DP (i.e., KFWS radar) and a high-resolution dual-polarization X-band radar network. The specific radar rainfall methodologies at Sand X-band frequencies, as well as the fusion methodology merging radar observations at different temporal resolutions are investigated. Comparisons between rainfall products from the DFW radar network and rainfall measurements from rain gauges are conducted for a large number of precipitation events over several years of operation, demonstrating the excellent performance of this urban QPE system. The real-time DFW QPE products are extensively used for flood warning operations and hydrological modelling. The high-resolution DFW QPE products also serve as a reliable dataset for validation of Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) satellite precipitation products. This study also introduces a machine learning-based data fusion system termed deep multi-layer perceptron (DMLP) to improve satellite-based precipitation estimation through incorporating ground radar-derived rainfall products. In particular, the CMORPH technique is applied first to derive combined PMW-based rainfall retrievals and IR data from multiple satellites. The combined PMW and IR data then serve as input to the proposed DMLP model. The high-quality rainfall products from ground radars are used as targets to train the DMLP model. In this dissertation, the prototype architecture of the DMLP model is detailed. The urban scale application over the DFW metroplex is presented. The DMLP-based rainfall products are evaluated using currently operational CMORPH products and surface rainfall measurements from gauge networks

High-Resolution Flash Flood Forecasting For Large Urban Areas – Sensitivity To Scale Of Precipitation Input And Model Resolution

Urban flash flooding is a serious problem in large, highly populated areas such as the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex (DFW). Being able to monitor and predict flash flooding at a high spatiotemporal resolution is critical to mitigating its threat and cost-effective emergency management. In general, the higher the resolution of the model and the precipitation input is, the better the spatiotemporal specificity of the model output is. Due to the errors in the precipitation input, model parameters and model itself, however, there are practical limits to the resolution of modeling. In this work, we assess the dependence of accuracy in streamflow simulation on modeling resolution using the National Weather Service (NWS) Hydrology Laboratory’s Distributed Hydrologic Model (HL-RDHM) for a large part of DFW. The spatiotemporal resolutions considered range from ~250 m to ~4 km and from 1min to 1 hr. The high-resolution precipitation input comes from the DFW Demonstration Network of CASA radars. The model simulation results are evaluated using the water level observations from the Cities of Fort Worth, Arlington and Grand Prairie in DFW

Advancing Urban Flood Resilience With Smart Water Infrastructure

Advances in wireless communications and low-power electronics are enabling a new generation of smart water systems that will employ real-time sensing and control to solve our most pressing water challenges. In a future characterized by these systems, networks of sensors will detect and communicate flood events at the neighborhood scale to improve disaster response. Meanwhile, wirelessly-controlled valves and pumps will coordinate reservoir releases to halt combined sewer overflows and restore water quality in urban streams. While these technologies promise to transform the field of water resources engineering, considerable knowledge gaps remain with regards to how smart water systems should be designed and operated. This dissertation presents foundational work towards building the smart water systems of the future, with a particular focus on applications to urban flooding. First, I introduce a first-of-its-kind embedded platform for real-time sensing and control of stormwater systems that will enable emergency managers to detect and respond to urban flood events in real-time. Next, I introduce new methods for hydrologic data assimilation that will enable real-time geolocation of floods and water quality hazards. Finally, I present theoretical contributions to the problem of controller placement in hydraulic networks that will help guide the design of future decentralized flood control systems. Taken together, these contributions pave the way for adaptive stormwater infrastructure that will mitigate the impacts of urban flooding through real-time response.PHDCivil EngineeringUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163144/1/mdbartos_1.pd

Earth resources, a continuing bibliography with indexes

This bibliography lists 541 reports, articles and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system. Emphasis is placed on the use of remote sensing and geophysical instrumentation in spacecraft and aircraft to survey and inventory natural resources and urban areas. Subject matter is grouped according to agriculture and forestry, environmental changes and cultural resources, geodesy and cartography, geology and mineral resources, hydrology and water management, data processing and distribution systems, instrumentation and sensors, and economic analysis

Colorado water, August/September 2011

The newsletter is devoted to enhancing communication between Colorado water users and managers and faculty at the state's research universities.Newsletter of the Water Center of Colorado State University. Theme: Climate

Aeronautics and space report of the President, 1982 activities

Achievements of the space program are summerized in the area of communication, Earth resources, environment, space sciences, transportation, aeronautics, and space energy. Space program activities of the various deprtments and agencies of the Federal Government are discussed in relation to the agencies' goals and policies. Records of U.S. and world spacecraft launchings, successful U.S. launches for 1982, U.S. launched applications and scientific satellites and space probes since 1975, U.S. and Soviet manned spaceflights since 1961, data on U.S. space launch vehicles, and budget summaries are provided. The national space policy and the aeronautical research and technology policy statements are included