Three years of seasonal radar and raindrop disdrometer data have been correlated to determine a relationship between radar reflectivity factor and rainfall rate (Z~R) for Southern Ontario storms during rain periods. It was found that instantaneous rainfall rates for small areas can be estimated from equivalent radar reflectivity factor measurements using a best-fit relation Z e = 295 R 1.43 with a standard error of 0.288 in the logarithm of R. The accuracy in estimating storm rainfalls from a modest number of observations is of significance for hydrometeorological applications. The analyses revealed a correctable systematic bias in the measurements not associated with the instrument systems but accountable to atmospheric effects inherent in the standard measurement technique. Only insignificant improvements were found in the relationship by stratifying the data by synoptic or storm type. Correlation of Z and R from the drop size distributions alone shows the characteristic power law relationship comparable to that derived from the radar measurements and reveals the effects contributed by the drop size distribution variations.RÉSUMÉ On a corrélé trois années de données saisonnières de radar et de disdromètre pour établir une relation entre le facteur de réflectivité radar et l'intensité de la pluie (Z~R) pour les tempêtes du sud de l'Ontario lors des périodes de pluie. On a découvert qu'il est possible d'estimer l'intensité instantanée de la pluie pour de petites régions à partir de mesures du facteur de réflectivité radar équivalent à l'aide d'une relation optimale Z e = 295 R 1.43 comportant une erreur-type de 0.288 dans le logarithme deR. Laprécision de l'estimation de la hauteur des pluies de tempête à partir d'un nombre réduit d'observations est suffisante pour les applications hydrométéorologiques. Les analyses ont révélé dans les mesures une erreur systématique susceptible de correction et imputable non pas aux systèmes de l'instrument mais à des effets atmosphériques inhérents à la technique de mesure. On a constaté que la stratification des données par type synoptique ou par type de tempête ne donne que des améliorations non significatives de la relation. Prise individuellement, la corrélation de Z et de R à partir de la distribution des tailles des gouttes présente une relation de puissance caractéristique comparable à celle qu'on obtient à partir de mesures radar et révèle les effets dus à la variation de cette distribution.
Lightning ground flash and stroke observations were made with a single-station gated, wideband magnetic direction-finding system with a nominal range of 180 km located in
In 1985, the first Doppler weather radar to operate in Canada was established by the Research Directorate of the Atmospheric Environment Service (AES) at a site in
IntroductionThe King City weather radar facility located north of Toronto, Ontario, was established as a research centre by the Atmospheric Environment Service for cloud physics and radar meterology in 1985. It is the first Doppler radar system to be designed and operated in Canada specifically for the weather observing role. The system was developed from hardware components that were commercially available and by in-house design of interfacing and software. Over the past several years, a program of research and development of the system and its applications has progressed to the point where the system output has been fully integrated into the operational program of the Ontario Weather Centre, which provides full weather services to their forecast region. At the same time, a broad research and development program continues, with the emphasis on meteorological applications. A close liaison of the research and operational sectors has allowed the immediate transfer of technology into operations with mutual benefits.
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