<i>Z</i>–<i>R</i> Relationships for Different Precipitation Types and Events from Parsivel Disdrometer Data in Warsaw, Poland
In this study, the relationship between radar reflectivity and rain rate (<i>Z–R</i>) was investigated. The analysis was conducted using data collected by the OTT Parsivel<sup>1</sup> disdrometer during the periods 2012–2014 and 2019–2025 in Warsaw, Poland. As a first step, t...
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2025-07-01
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| author | Mariusz Paweł Barszcz Ewa Kaznowska |
| author_facet | Mariusz Paweł Barszcz Ewa Kaznowska |
| author_sort | Mariusz Paweł Barszcz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In this study, the relationship between radar reflectivity and rain rate (<i>Z–R</i>) was investigated. The analysis was conducted using data collected by the OTT Parsivel<sup>1</sup> disdrometer during the periods 2012–2014 and 2019–2025 in Warsaw, Poland. As a first step, the parameters <i>a</i> and <i>b</i> of the power-law <i>Z–R</i> relationship were estimated separately for three precipitation types: rain, sleet (rain with snow), and snow. Subsequently, observational data from all 12 months of the annual cycle were used to derive <i>Z–R</i> relationships for 118 individual precipitation events. To date, only a few studies of this kind have been conducted in Poland. In the analysis limited to rain events, the estimated parameters (<i>a</i> = 265, <i>b</i> = 1.48) showed relatively minor deviations from the classical <i>Z–R</i> function for convective rainfall, <i>Z</i> = 300<i>R</i><sup>1.4</sup>. However, the parameter <i>a</i> deviated more noticeably from the <i>Z</i> = 200<i>R</i><sup>1.6</sup> relationship proposed by Marshall and Palmer, which is commonly used to convert radar reflectivity into rainfall estimates, including in the Polish POLRAD radar system. The dataset used in this study included rainfall events of varying types, both stratiform and convective, which contributed to the averaging of <i>Z–R</i> parameters. The values for the parameter <i>a</i> in the <i>Z–R</i> relationship estimated for the other two categories of precipitation types, sleet and snow, were significantly higher than those determined for rain events alone. The <i>a</i> values calculated for individual events demonstrated considerable variability, ranging from 80 to 751, while the <i>b</i> values presented a more predictable range, from 1.10 to 1.77. The highest parameter <i>a</i> values were observed during the summer months: June, July, and August. The variability in the <i>Z–R</i> relationship for individual events assessed in this study indicates the need for further research under diverse meteorological conditions, particularly for stratiform and convective precipitation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a6626bfc970a4f4f96517ace89316a0a |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2072-4292 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
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| series | Remote Sensing |
| spelling | doaj-art-a6626bfc970a4f4f96517ace89316a0a2025-08-20T02:36:27ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922025-07-011713227110.3390/rs17132271<i>Z</i>–<i>R</i> Relationships for Different Precipitation Types and Events from Parsivel Disdrometer Data in Warsaw, PolandMariusz Paweł Barszcz0Ewa Kaznowska1Institute of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska St. 159, 02-776 Warsaw, PolandInstitute of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska St. 159, 02-776 Warsaw, PolandIn this study, the relationship between radar reflectivity and rain rate (<i>Z–R</i>) was investigated. The analysis was conducted using data collected by the OTT Parsivel<sup>1</sup> disdrometer during the periods 2012–2014 and 2019–2025 in Warsaw, Poland. As a first step, the parameters <i>a</i> and <i>b</i> of the power-law <i>Z–R</i> relationship were estimated separately for three precipitation types: rain, sleet (rain with snow), and snow. Subsequently, observational data from all 12 months of the annual cycle were used to derive <i>Z–R</i> relationships for 118 individual precipitation events. To date, only a few studies of this kind have been conducted in Poland. In the analysis limited to rain events, the estimated parameters (<i>a</i> = 265, <i>b</i> = 1.48) showed relatively minor deviations from the classical <i>Z–R</i> function for convective rainfall, <i>Z</i> = 300<i>R</i><sup>1.4</sup>. However, the parameter <i>a</i> deviated more noticeably from the <i>Z</i> = 200<i>R</i><sup>1.6</sup> relationship proposed by Marshall and Palmer, which is commonly used to convert radar reflectivity into rainfall estimates, including in the Polish POLRAD radar system. The dataset used in this study included rainfall events of varying types, both stratiform and convective, which contributed to the averaging of <i>Z–R</i> parameters. The values for the parameter <i>a</i> in the <i>Z–R</i> relationship estimated for the other two categories of precipitation types, sleet and snow, were significantly higher than those determined for rain events alone. The <i>a</i> values calculated for individual events demonstrated considerable variability, ranging from 80 to 751, while the <i>b</i> values presented a more predictable range, from 1.10 to 1.77. The highest parameter <i>a</i> values were observed during the summer months: June, July, and August. The variability in the <i>Z–R</i> relationship for individual events assessed in this study indicates the need for further research under diverse meteorological conditions, particularly for stratiform and convective precipitation.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/13/2271Parsivel disdrometerradar reflectivityprecipitation intensity<i>Z–R</i> relationshipweather radar |
| spellingShingle | Mariusz Paweł Barszcz Ewa Kaznowska <i>Z</i>–<i>R</i> Relationships for Different Precipitation Types and Events from Parsivel Disdrometer Data in Warsaw, Poland Remote Sensing Parsivel disdrometer radar reflectivity precipitation intensity <i>Z–R</i> relationship weather radar |
| title | <i>Z</i>–<i>R</i> Relationships for Different Precipitation Types and Events from Parsivel Disdrometer Data in Warsaw, Poland |
| title_full | <i>Z</i>–<i>R</i> Relationships for Different Precipitation Types and Events from Parsivel Disdrometer Data in Warsaw, Poland |
| title_fullStr | <i>Z</i>–<i>R</i> Relationships for Different Precipitation Types and Events from Parsivel Disdrometer Data in Warsaw, Poland |
| title_full_unstemmed | <i>Z</i>–<i>R</i> Relationships for Different Precipitation Types and Events from Parsivel Disdrometer Data in Warsaw, Poland |
| title_short | <i>Z</i>–<i>R</i> Relationships for Different Precipitation Types and Events from Parsivel Disdrometer Data in Warsaw, Poland |
| title_sort | i z i i r i relationships for different precipitation types and events from parsivel disdrometer data in warsaw poland |
| topic | Parsivel disdrometer radar reflectivity precipitation intensity <i>Z–R</i> relationship weather radar |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/13/2271 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mariuszpawełbarszcz iziirirelationshipsfordifferentprecipitationtypesandeventsfromparsiveldisdrometerdatainwarsawpoland AT ewakaznowska iziirirelationshipsfordifferentprecipitationtypesandeventsfromparsiveldisdrometerdatainwarsawpoland |