ABSTRACT
Quantitative precipitation estimates (QPEs) are conventionally provided by ground radar networks. Ground-based systems are able to acquire data routinely at relatively low altitudes up to ranges on the order of 300 km, provided there are no appreciable blockages by intervening terrain. As will be detailed in this chapter, it is also feasible to obtain radar measurements from space. Spaceborne measurements offer the advantages of collecting data over oceanic and data-sparse regions without the constraints of international borders or beam blockages by mountains. Spaceborne systems cannot measure precipitation as frequently as ground radar systems due to orbital restrictions with low Earth-orbiting satellites. They also have limitations with ground clutter contamination, nonuniform beam filling, and attenuation. Nonetheless, great potential exists to synergize radar measurements from ground and space so as to fill in voids in the operational ground radar networks.
