An adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system for the post-calibration of weather radar rainfall estimation

An Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System, based on a jack-knife approach, is proposed for the post-calibration of weather radar rainfall estimation exploiting available raingauge observations. The methodology relies on the construction of a fuzzy inference system with three inputs (radar x coordinate, y coordinate and rainfall estimation at raingauge locations) and one output (raingauge observations). Subtractive clustering is used to generate the initial fuzzy inference system. Artificial neural network learning provides a fast way to automatically generate additional fuzzy rules and membership functions for the fuzzy inference system. Fuzzy logic enhances the generalisation of the artificial neural network system. In order to demonstrate the steps of the radar rainfall post-calibration using the Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System, CAPPIs of one-hour rainfall accumulation and corresponding raingauge observations have been selected. Results show that the proposed approach looks for a response that is a compromise between radar rainfall estimations and raingauge observations and does not necessarily consider the raingauge observations as ground truth. The algorithm is very fast and can be implemented for real time post-calibration. This algorithm makes use of all available data—raingauge observations are usually scarce—for training and checking the neuro-fuzzy inference system. It also provides a degree of reliability of the post-calibration.