Author
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Alonso, Carlos |
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Submitted to: American Geophysical Union
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 10/18/2000 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Remote sensing and hydro-meteorological research is needed for accurate evaluation of water and energy balances over ungaged agricultural watersheds. This work is conducted on the intensively instrumented ARS Goodwin Creek Experimental Watershed (GCEW) and is aimed at validating remote sensing technology for monitoring spatial and temporal distributions of rainfall, surface radiation, and soil moisture and soil temperature. Storms were monitored and analyzed using recording rain gages, raindrop size sensors, and WSR-88D weather radar data from Memphis, TN. Uncertainty of relations among radar reflectivity, rainfall rate, and rainfall kinetic energy caused by the variability of raindrop size distributions among and within storms was systematically evaluated. GCEW is part of the network of SURFRAD stations operated by National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration in climatically diverse regions of the United States. Two new SCAN stations were installed by NRCS in January 1999 on pasture and timber areas within GCEW. Data from the SCAN and SURFRAD networks will play a vital role in validating satellite scanners and developing better understanding of land-atmosphere interactions and the water balance itself. |
