Evaluation of profile classification module of GPM-DPR algorithm after launch

The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission was successfully launched in February 2014. It is the next satellite mission to obtain global precipitation measurements following success of TRMM (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission). The GPM core satellite is equipped with a dual-frequency precipitation radar (DPR) operating at Ku- (13.6 GHz) and Ka- (35.5 GHz) band. DPR on aboard the GPM core satellite is expected to improve our knowledge of precipitation processes relative to the single-frequency (Ku-band) radar used in TRMM by providing greater dynamic range, more detailed information on microphysics, and better accuracies in rainfall and liquid water content retrievals. New Ka- band channel observation of DPR helps to improve the detection thresholds for light rain and snow relative to TRMM PR [1]. The dual-frequency signals allow us to distinguish regions of liquid, frozen, and mixed-phase precipitation. In this paper, an evaluation of the profile classification module is presented. Cross validation is also presented with ground radar.