Various ground validation instruments, including the Parsivel Disdrometer in Finland, a Micro Rain Radar, and a Pluvio Snow guage
The NPOL underwent a complete antenna system upgrade in 2010 and is one of two fully transportable research-grade S-band systems in the world. It is used to make accurate volumetric measurements of precipitation including rainfall rate, particle size distributions, water contents and precipitation type.
The TRMM satellite passed almost directly above powerful typhoon MA-ON on 14 July 2011 at 0525 UTC. This TRMM orbit revealed that MA-ON was extremely well organized with several bands of intense thunderstorms around a well defined eye.
