Uncertainty of Disdrometer Observations Based Upon ARM’s Paired Disdrometer Data Set

Description

Disdrometer inter-comparison studies are not new but the previous studies had weaknesses.  Most often disdrometer of model A was compared to disdrometer of model B or in some cases more than one other model.  Using only one of each type made for a difficult assessment of the uncertainty of the observations from a particular model.  Another weakness was the use of limited data sets typically consisting of 10-15 rain events observed over a few weeks.  In our study we have paired two 2-dimensional video disdrometers with two Joss-Waldvogel impact disdrometers as well as with two Parsivel2 disdrometers at the DOE-ARM Southern Great Plains (SGP) Site.  Each set of the pairs are within a few meters of each other and all 6 disdrometers are clustered together as well.  Furthermore, our data set spans 18 months  from 20180625 thru 20191231.  Error analysis is in progress with a focus on obtaining uncertainty estimates for median drop diameter, normalized number concentration, rain amount, rain rate and equivalent reflectivity factor.