Comparison of GPM DPR and Airborne Radar Observations in OLYMPEX

Previous work has shown that the relatively large resolution volume of spaceborne precipitation radars can affect precipitation measurements in several ways. During the Olympic Mountains Experiment (OLYMPEX), Ku- and Ka-band airborne radar measurements of precipitation were obtained during two Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) overpasses, one case over land and one case over ocean. The authors compare the GPM-measured radar quantities with the same quantities inferred from the higher spatial resolution airborne radar data. Differences include smaller maximum reflectivity and path attenuation and more significant surface clutter in mountainous areas for GPM.