Characterization of Ka-band Radar Observations for Different Rain Types over Akure, Nigeria

Radar is a unique tool that can measure precipitation parameters over a large aerial coverage. Its application spans over study of climate change and radiowave propagation. Inter-relation between the rain parameters can also be derived with the height of radar especially on vertical profiling or aloft ground level. Hence effect of precipitation parameters can be assessed along the satellite propagation path with the help of space-borne radar. Satellite communication links operating at frequencies above 10 GHz are usually affected by hydrometeors especially rainfall. These effects are expected to be quite severe in the tropical region like Akure due to the nature of precipitation which is mainly convective and stratiform rain type. Therefore, information on vertical rain structure is important for precise quantitative estimation of precipitation. Thus, the focus of this work is to characterize the vertical profile of rain structures using vertically-pointing Ka-band Micro Rain Radar (MRR) at Akure, Nigeria. This has been achieved by using 2-year (2013 and 2014) data of rain parameters namely: rain rate, reflectivity, liquid water content and fall velocity obtained from MRR to determine the bright band heights under different rain types and its implications on satellite and radio waves propagation in this region. Rain rate in this region has been categorized into four groups namely: 0.02- 0.2 mm/h, 0.2- 2 mm/h, 2-40 mm/h, and 40 - 200 mm/h. The very low rain rate group is related to the stratiform rain types whereas highest rain rate groups are for the convective rain type. Study shows that parameters that are much associated with rain attained peak value at different height depending on the period of the year. The vertical profile of Z shows peak around 3 to 4.2 km height. The peak region is associated with the bright band height and contribution to the melting layer. This study revealed that the occurrence of bright band heights varies with rain types. The overall results will be useful for determining rain height needed for the prediction of rain attenuation in this region.