Microwave monitoring of rainfall: some possibilities and problems

Discusses the integration of data from two microwave sources: a passive and an active one, in order to develop procedures for investigating the possibility of improving passive microwave satellite precipitation estimation techniques by means of multiparameter radar information. In particular, SSM/I passive microwave radiometer precipitation related parameters have been compared with digital multiparameter radar observations of over-land precipitation. Several issues related to the integration have been tackled and analysed. These issues mainly stem from fundamental differences between the two microwave sources and their different space and time resolutions. Conclusions are drawn, and recommendations for further work made