News story

Merging radar outputs to improve UK rainfall estimates

New research shows a way to improve rainfall estimates by merging outputs from different types of weather radar.

• From: Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Research and Development Programme
• Published: 5 August 2025

Image credit: Environment Agency.

A study led by researchers at the University of Leeds and the Environment Agency has demonstrated a new method for improving rainfall estimates across the UK.

The research, published in the journal Meteorological Applications in July 2025, shows how data from a mobile X-band radar could be merged with the UK Met Office’s national C-band radar-network using a ‘quality index’.

This  approach could improve the accuracy of rainfall estimates, especially in areas with complex terrain or limited radar coverage.

Published 5 August 2025