Catalunya as Validation Supersite for GPM Mission

GPM Introduction
The Meteorological Service of Catalunya (METEOCAT) and the Group of Applied Research on
Hydrometeorology (GRAHI-UPC) are leading a proposal effort in coordination with the GPM
Mission’s Project Science Office at the NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center to establish the
Catalunya radar-rainguage network as one of a small set of validation supersites needed for the
international GPM mission. The unique operations-research synergy created by METOCAT and
GRAHI and the high quality of hardware and software components developed for Catalunya’s
precipitation network provide the compelling argument to incorporate this facility into the GPM
Mission’s Ground Validation Supersite Network.
Catalunya’s Ground Network
for Precipitation Monitoring

The climate of Catalunya is representative of

the climate of the Mediterranean coastal zone
(as well as other mid-latitude coastal zone
regions throughout the world), particularly in
regards to flooding by severe storms -- most
frequent in the later part of the year. The
heavy rains and extreme time-space
variability associated with these storms are
controlled by the Mediterranean coastal
zone’s marked orography and its proximity to
the warm Mediterranean sea.
Catalunya has already deployed a high quality, multi-site C-band radar network
supported by a dense network of telemetered raingauges. As of November’03, three
radars are in operation. Two additional radars will be brought on line in 2004, providing
a unique capability within Europe to monitor and predict severe storm behavior with an
integrated radar-raingauge network.
 Catalunya as Validation Supersite for GPM Mission
GPM
Catalan Precipitation Laboratory
Beginning in 2004, the central area of Catalunya
(some 15,000 km2) will be seen by three different
radars. This will enable integration of radar
measurements with raingauge measurements
obtaining a direct measure of the rainfall field
with homogeneous quality.

High-coverage area is of strategic interest because:

 It contains over 3 million habitants including a major
Mediterranean city.
 It is one of the greatest tourist attractions in the world. Coverage of Catalunya Radars
 It has high vulnerability to flooding.
 There is a broad social interest in meteorological and
precipitation events and the associated measurements.

In Barcelona area, density of raingauges

is increased due to raingauge network
provided by CLABSA.
 Catalunya as Validation Supersite for GPM Mission
GPM
Operational Tools
GRAHI-UPC, METEOCAT, and ACA are now
developing the operational tool needed to
process and integrate all data produced by the
Catalunya radar-raingauge network.
This tool provides, in real time, a 3D volume
presentation of corrected reflectivity and
optimized surface rainfall measurement.

In parallel to development of the rainfall measuring

network, a rainfall-runoff hydrometeorological
model is under development to use the rainfall data
in real time for flood warnings over a variety of
basins within Catalunya.
This will lead to the development, and perhaps the
first implementation, of the hydrometeorological
validation concept -- in addition to the direct
measurement-based ground validation approach.
 Catalunya as Validation Supersite for GPM Mission
GPM
VOLTAIRE Project
Catalunya (through GRAHI-UPC) is involved in a European-wide precipitation research
project called VOLTAIRE. A foremost objective of this project is to design the
validation supersite of Catalunya for the GPM Mission and to develop the
hydrometeorological validation concept through experience gained from the Tropical
Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM).
VOLTAIRE Partners

The supersite design is being based on studies

carried out within a simulation framework. These
studies enable an improved understanding of the
physical and statistical relationships between
precipitation data acquired from spaceborne
sensors and precipitation data measured by
ground-based instruments.
 Catalunya as Validation Supersite for GPM Mission
GPM
Partnership
• Catalunya Institutions leading proposal:
METEOCAT: The Meteorological Service of Catalunya
(www.meteocat.es) is in charge of the precipitation network
equipment and provides the guarantee for real time data acquisition.

GRAHI-UPC: The Group of Applied Research on Hydrometeorology

(www.grahi.upc.es) is in charge of software development and
conducts the technical studies needed to improve the processing
tools and data quality.

• Other collaborating Catalunya Institutions:

 ACA: Water Agency of Catalunya (www.gencat.es/aca/)

 FCR: Catalan Science Foundation (www.fcr.es)
 IEEC: Institute for Space Studies of Catalunya (www.ieec.fcr.es)
 CLABSA: Sewer network management company (www.clabsa.es)
 INM: National Meteorological Institute of Spain (www.inm.es)