Generation of Z-R Relationships for the Island of Barbados

The Z-R (Reflectivity-Rainfall rate) relationship is one that is used to estimate rainfall rates from reflectivity data obtained from weather radars. The Z-R relationship estimates rainfall rates which can be applied to many hydrological applications such as rainfall-runoff modeling, flood early warning systems and water resources management. The accuracy of the Z-R relationship is critical to ensuring accurate precipitation estimation when utilizing radar derived rainfall in hydrology related systems. Therefore to pursue robust estimates, several relationships (general, convective and stratiform) were generated for the varying types of rainfall, to ensure utmost accuracy. Thus, this study attempts to derive Z-R relationships using data obtained from a Micro Rain Radar for application in the island of Barbados.