Regional to global mapping of rainfall relies heavily on measurements that include ground-based radars. These remote sensing measurements necessarily employ empirical relations and underlying assumptions that are directly related to and affected by characteristics of the droplet size distribution.
The optional disdrometer feature for the present weather functionality includes reporting the droplet size distribution in 41 size classes. The option also enables accurate reporting of the reflectivity factor: decibel relative to Z (dBZ).
Reflectivity, along with droplet size distribution information can be beneficially utilized to check the rainfall rate measurement of weather radar systems. Regular adjustment of the reflectivity provides a sustained minimum uncertainty for the radar measurements.