Rain drop size distribution and some associated rain parameters such as the rain rates (R), liquid water content (M), and the falling velocities (W) as observed using a vertically pointing Micro Rain Radar (MRR) at the Department of Physics, the Federal University of Technology Akure (7o15΄N, 5o15΄E), a tropical location in Nigeria were analyzed in this study. The parameters were measured from the ground level to a height of 4.8 km above sea level with a vertical resolution of 0.16 km and over a total of 30 range gates with 1-minute integration time. The measurements covered a period of four years (2008-2011). The study established relationships between all the parameters and the results shows typical values for negative exponential rainfall drop size distribution (DSD) similar to that of Marshall-Palmer for both stratiform and convective rain. At 0.01% of time, the measured rain rate was underestimated by 35% when compared with the ITU-R recommendation for this region and it was observed that over 85% of the total rainfall in this part of the world is stratiform while the remaining 15% are convective except for the month of October which is the peak of the rainy season in the year where a high number of convective rain is observed. The results of this study may assist to improve the design and planning of terrestrial and satellite radio communication system in this location.
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