Zhang et al. (2025) Rainfall monitoring based on commercial microwave links in Jiangyin, China: Long-term performance analysis over 3 years

Identification

• Journal: Journal of Hydrology
• Year: 2025
• Date: 2025-11-07
• Authors: Peng Zhang, Xichuan Liu, Kang Pu, Haonan Wu
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2025.134558

Research Groups

• College of Meteorology and Oceanography, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, China
• Key Laboratory of High Impact Weather (special), China Meteorological Administration, Changsha, China
• Institute of NBC Defence, Beijing, China
• Jiangsu M&R Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd, Jiangyin, China

Short Summary

This study analyzes 3 years of data from 48 commercial microwave links (CMLs) in Jiangyin, China, to calibrate and validate CML-based rainfall inversion algorithms, demonstrating their effectiveness, particularly for summer, high-intensity, and convective rainfall.

Objective

• To adjust and validate existing commercial microwave link (CML)-based rainfall inversion algorithms and assess CML rainfall estimates under various conditions (climatic seasons, rainfall types, and rainfall levels).

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: A large-scale network of 48 commercial microwave links (CMLs) in Jiangyin, China, with 20 CMLs having nearby rain sensors for validation.
• Temporal Scale: Three years, from 2021 to 2023.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: CML-driven wet/dry classification algorithm, rain attenuation model, and wet antenna attenuation model.
• Data sources: Attenuation data from 48 commercial microwave links (CMLs), rainfall data from nine rain gauges (RGs), and one OTT PARSIVEL1 disdrometer for validation.

Main Results

• The calibrated rainfall inversion algorithm is effectively transferable to CMLs with similar characteristics within the Jiangyin area.
• CML-based rainfall estimates show better agreement with reference values for summer rainfall, higher-intensity rainfall, and convective rainfall compared to other conditions.
• Estimation of drizzle remains challenging due to interference from non-rainfall factors.

Contributions

• First large-scale, long-term (3-year) performance analysis of a commercial microwave link (CML)-based rainfall monitoring network in China.
• Calibration and validation of CML-based rainfall inversion algorithms using extensive field data.
• Comprehensive assessment of CML rainfall estimation performance under diverse climatic seasons, rainfall types, and intensity levels.

Funding

• Funding information is not provided in the excerpt.

Citation

@article{Zhang2025Rainfall,
  author = {Zhang, Peng and Liu, Xichuan and Pu, Kang and Wu, Haonan},
  title = {Rainfall monitoring based on commercial microwave links in Jiangyin, China: Long-term performance analysis over 3 years},
  journal = {Journal of Hydrology},
  year = {2025},
  doi = {10.1016/j.jhydrol.2025.134558},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2025.134558}
}