Brief Bio
Eyal Amitai received his M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in atmospheric sciences from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel, in 1991 and 1996, respectively. Since 1996, he has been working at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, with the Precipitation Measurement Missions (PMM). He spent two years on a postdoctoral fellowship with the Universities Space Research Association. From 1998 to 2002, he was a research faculty with the University of Maryland Baltimore County, Joint Center for Earth Systems Technology (JCET), and from 2003 to 2008 as a Research Professor with the Center for Earth Observing and Space Research at George Mason University. Since 2008, he has been with Chapman University, Orange, California.
The main objective of his current work is to identify and resolve discrepancies in the precipitation estimates derived from different sensors, and to establish more accurate relations between surface rain rates and remote sensing observations. The remote sensing observations he is using are from space-borne, ground-based and underwater platforms. His research is focused on combining information from a variety of sensors to evaluate and improve precipitation estimates. He provides scientific advice to NASA science managers, project scientists, science team members and algorithm developers on evaluation of satellite precipitation estimates in order to improve and advance the current satellite precipitation retrievals.
Currently, he is a member of the NASA PMM science team. He serves as a PI on NASA and NSF grants and Co-I on several other grants. Other affiliations include: Associate Editor, AMS Journal of Hydrometeorology (2011-present); Member, WMO/GEWEX/ Radiation Panel Working Group on Precipitation Radar Networks (WGPRN); Former Member, NASA Energy and Water cycle Study (NEWS) Science Team; Former Member, Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Science Team; Former Member, AGU Precipitation Committee.
Co-authored 32 peer-reviewed papers and more than 50 other precipitation related publications; made more than 100 presentations in international conferences/national meetings including numerous invited talks and seminars (in 18 different countries). Invited to serve as session chair and session convener in national and international conferences, and on international scientific committees. Peer-reviewed numerous papers submitted to 30 different leading journals in Meteorology/Hydrology.
Research Interests
Applied research in hydrometeorology, radar hydrology, quantitative precipitation estimation from space, ground and underwater observations, extreme precipitation events, data fusion.
Education
1989-1996: Graduate Program, Departmernt of Atmospheric Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.
Ph.D. degree: 1996; M.Sc. degree with distinction (Summa Cum Laude): 1991.
1985-1988: Under-Graduate Program, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.
B.Sc. degrees with distinction (Magna Cum Laude) in Atmospheric Sciences and Physics: 1989.
Recipient of the Wolf Foundation Scholarship for the most outstanding Ph.D. students in Israel for the academic year 1992/93; Dean's List for academic years: 1985/86, 1986/87 and 1987/88.
Other Professional Information
NASA Science Highlight Slide (for NASA HQ use):
Dense Gauge Network Confirms Improvement in TRMM Radar Rainfall Intensity Estimates (April 2012)
IEEE selected the article “Multiplatform Comparisons of Rain Intensity for Extreme Precipitation Events” by Amitai et al. for the front cover of Trans. Geosciences and Remote Sensing (March 2012)
A NASA summer for Chapman University student / Guest Blog: Bryson Thill / Research rains down for Chapman undergrad
Publications
AMITAI, E., C. UNKRICH, D. GOODRICH, E. HABIB, and B. THILL. 2012. Assessing satellite-based rainfall estimates in semi-arid watersheds using the Walnut Gulch gauge network and TRMM-PR. J of Hydrometeorology. 13 (5): 1579-1588. [ 10.1175/JHM-D-12-016.1]
AMITAI, E., W. PETERSEN, X. LLORT, and S. VASILOFF. 2012. Multiplatform Comparisons of Rain Intensity for Extreme Precipitation Events. IEEE Trans Geosciences and Remote Sensing. 50 (3): 675-686. [ 10.1109/TGRS.2011.2162737]
KIRSTETTER, P., Y. HONG, J. GOURLEY, S. CHEN, Z. FLAMIG, J. ZHANG, M. SCHWALLER, W. PETERSEN, and E. AMITAI. 2012. Toward a Framework for Systematic Error Modeling of Spaceborne Precipitation Radar with NOAA/NSSL Ground Radar-based National Mosaic QPE. J of Hydrometeorology. 13 (4): 1285-1300. [ 10.1175/JHM-D-11-0139.1]
AGHAKOUCHAK A., A. BEHRANGI, S. SOROOSHIAN, K. HSU, and E. E. AMITAI. 2011. Evaluation of satellite-retrieved extreme precipitation rates across the Central United States. J Geophys Res. 116, (D02115): [10.1029/2010JD014741]
AMITAI, E., X. LLORT, and D. SEMPERE-TORRES. 2009. Comparison of TRMM radar rainfall estimates with NOAA Next Generation QPE. J Meteor Soc Japan. 87A 109-118. [ 10.2151/jmsj.87A.109]
NYSTUEN, J., E. AMITAI, E. ANAGNOSTOU, and M. ANAGNOSTOU. 2008. Spatial averaging of oceanic rainfall variability using underwater sound: Ionian Sea Rainfall Experiment. J Acoust Soc Amer. 123 (4): 1952-1962. [ 10.1121/1.2871485]
ANAGNOSTOU M., J. NYSTUEN, E. ANAGNOSTOU, E. NIKOLOPOULOS, and E. E. AMITAI. 2008. Evaluation of underwater rainfall measurements during the Ionian Sea Rainfall Experiment. IEEE Trans Geosci Remote Sens. 46 (10): 2936-2946. [ 10.1109/TGRS.2008.2000756]
AMITAI E. E., J. NYSTUEN, E. ANAGNOSTOU, and M. ANAGNOSTOU. 2007. Comparison of deep underwater measurements and radar observations of rainfall. IEEE Geo Rem Sen Lett. 4 (3): 406-410. [ 10.1109/LGRS.2007.895681]
AMITAI, E. E., X. LLORT, and D. SEMPERE-TORRES. 2006. Opportunities and challenges for evaluating precipitation estimates during GPM mission. MeteorZeitschrift. 15 (5): 551-557. [10.1127/0941-2948/2006/0157 ]
AMITAI, E., D. MARKS, D. B. WOLFF, D. SILBERSTEIN, B. L. FISHER, and J. PIPPITT. 2006. Evaluation of radar rainfall products: Lessons learned from NASA TRMM validation program in Florida. J Atmos Ocean Tech. 23 (11): 1492-1505. [ http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/JTECH1968.1]
AMITAI E. E., L. LIAO, X. LLORT, and R. MENEGHINI. 2005. Accuracy verification of spaceborne radar estimates of rain rate. Royal Meteor Soc Atmos Sci Lett. 6 2-6. [ 10.1002/asl.82]
WOLFF D. B., D. A. MARKS, E. E. AMITAI, D. S. SILBERSTEIN, B. L. FISHER, A. TOKAY, J. WANG, and J. L. PIPPITT. 2005. Ground validation for the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). J Atmos Ocean Tech. 22 (4): 365-380.
AMITAI E. E. 2004. Listening to the rain. Bulletin of the American Meteorology Society. 85 (1): 15.
AMITAI E. E., J. NYSTUEN, L. LIAO, R. MENEGHINI, and E. MORIN. 2004. Uniting space ground and underwater measurements for improved estimates of ran rate. IEEE Geosci Remote Sens Lett. 1 (2): 35-38. [ 10.1109/LGRS.2004.824767]
NYSTUEN A., and E. E. AMITAI. 2003. High temporal resolution of extreme rainfall rate variability and the acoustic classification of rainfall. J Geophys Res Atmos. 108 (D8): 8378-8388. [10.1029/2001JD001481]
AMITAI E. E., D. B. WOLFF, D. A. MARKS, and D. S. SILBERSTEIN. 2002. Radar rainfall estimation: Lessons learned from the NASA/TRMM validation program. Second European Conference on Radar Meteorology (ERAD), November 18-22, Delft, The Netherlands ERAD Publication Series, 1, 255-260 (Copernicus GmbH peer reviewed publication, ISBN 3-936586-04-7).
FISHER B. L., D. B. WOLFF, and E. E. AMITAI. 2001. Analytical software for validating time synchronous radar and rain gauge data. Remote Sensing and Hydrology 2000, edited by M Owe, K Brubaker, J Richtie and A Rango, IAHS. 267 27-31.
AMITAI E. E., D. B. WOLFF, M. ROBINSON, D. A. MARKS, M. S. KULIE, and B. S. FERRIER. 2001. Systematic variations of Ze-R relations: Implications to Hydrology. Remote Sensing and Hydrology 2000, edited by M Owe, K Brubaker, J Richtie and A Rango, IAHS. 267 43-45.
AMITAI E. E. 2000. Systematic Variation of Observed Radar Reflectivity-Rainfall Rate Relations in the Tropics. J App Meteor. 39 (12): 2198-2208.
MARKS D. A., M. KULIE, M. ROBINSON, D. S. SILBERSTEIN, D. B. WOLFF, B. FERRIER, E. E. AMITAI, B. L. FISHER, J. WANG, and O. THIELE. 2000. Climatological Processing and Product Development for the TRMM Ground Validation Program. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth (B). 25 871-875.
ATLAS D., C. W. ULBRICH, F. D. MARKS, R. A. BLACK, E. E. AMITAI, P. T. WILLIS, and C. E. SAMSURY. 2000. Partitioning tropical oceanic convective and stratiform rains by draft strength. J Geophys Res. 105 2259-2267.
GABELLA M., and E. E. AMITAI. 2000. Radar rainfall estimates in an alpine environment using different gage-adjustment techniques. Phys Chem Earth (B). 25 927-931.
ROBINSON M., M. S. KULIE, D. S. SILBERSTEIN, D. A. MARKS, D. B. WOLFF, E. E. AMITAI, B. FERRIER, B. L. FISHER, and J. WANG. 2000. Evolving Improvements to TRMM Ground Validation Rainfall Estimates. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth (B). 25 971-976.
AMITAI E. E. 1999. Relationships between radar properties at high elevations and surface rain rate: potential use for spaceborne rainfall measurements. J Appl Meteor. 38 321-333.
ATLAS D., W. ULBRICH, F. D. MARKS, E. E. AMITAI, and C. WILLIAMS. 1999. Systematic variation of drop size and radar-rainfall relations. J Geophys Res. 104 6155-6169.
ROSENFELD D., and E. E. AMITAI. 1998. Comparison of WPMM versus regression for evaluating Z-R relationships . J Appl Meteor. 37 1241-1249.
MORIN J., D. ROSENFELD, and E. E. AMITAI. 1995. Radar rain field evaluation and possible use of its high temporal and spatial resolution for hydrological purposes. J Hydrology. 172 275-292.
ROSENFELD D., E. E. AMITAI, and D. B. WOLFF. 1995. Improved accuracy of radar WPMM estimated rainfall upon application of objective classification criteria. J Appl Meteor. 34 212-223.
ROSENFELD D., E. E. AMITAI, and D. B. WOLFF. 1995. Classification of rain regimes by the 3-dimensional properties of reflectivity fields. J Appl Meteor. 34 198-211.
WOODLEY W. L., E. E. AMITAI, and D. ROSENFELD. 1994. Comparison of cloud tower and updraft radii with their internal temperature excesses relative to their environments. J Wea Mod. 26 125-128.
ROSENFELD D., D. B. WOLFF, and E. E. AMITAI. 1994. The window probability matching method for rainfall measurements with radar. J Appl Meteor. 33 682-693.
ROSENFELD D., D. ATLAS, D. B. WOLFF, and E. E. AMITAI. 1992. Beamwidth effects on Z-R relations and area-integrated rainfall. J Appl Meteor. 31 454-464.
Brief Bio
Eyal Amitai received his M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in atmospheric sciences from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel, in 1991 and 1996, respectively. Since 1996, he has been working at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, with the Precipitation Measurement Missions (PMM). He spent two years on a postdoctoral fellowship with the Universities Space Research Association. From 1998 to 2002, he was a research faculty with the University of Maryland Baltimore County, Joint Center for Earth Systems Technology (JCET), and from 2003 to 2008 as a Research Professor with the Center for Earth Observing and Space Research at George Mason University. Since 2008, he has been with Chapman University, Orange, California.
The main objective of his current work is to identify and resolve discrepancies in the precipitation estimates derived from different sensors, and to establish more accurate relations between surface rain rates and remote sensing observations. The remote sensing observations he is using are from space-borne, ground-based and underwater platforms. His research is focused on combining information from a variety of sensors to evaluate and improve precipitation estimates. He provides scientific advice to NASA science managers, project scientists, science team members and algorithm developers on evaluation of satellite precipitation estimates in order to improve and advance the current satellite precipitation retrievals.
Currently, he is a member of the NASA PMM science team. He serves as a PI on NASA and NSF grants and Co-I on several other grants. Other affiliations include: Associate Editor, AMS Journal of Hydrometeorology (2011-present); Member, WMO/GEWEX/ Radiation Panel Working Group on Precipitation Radar Networks (WGPRN); Former Member, NASA Energy and Water cycle Study (NEWS) Science Team; Former Member, Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Science Team; Former Member, AGU Precipitation Committee.
Co-authored 32 peer-reviewed papers and more than 50 other precipitation related publications; made more than 100 presentations in international conferences/national meetings including numerous invited talks and seminars (in 18 different countries). Invited to serve as session chair and session convener in national and international conferences, and on international scientific committees. Peer-reviewed numerous papers submitted to 30 different leading journals in Meteorology/Hydrology.
AMITAI, E., W. PETERSEN, X. LLORT, and S. VASILOFF. 2012. Multiplatform Comparisons of Rain Intensity for Extreme Precipitation Events. IEEE Trans Geosciences and Remote Sensing. 50 (3): 675-686. [ 10.1109/TGRS.2011.2162737]
KIRSTETTER, P., Y. HONG, J. GOURLEY, S. CHEN, Z. FLAMIG, J. ZHANG, M. SCHWALLER, W. PETERSEN, and E. AMITAI. 2012. Toward a Framework for Systematic Error Modeling of Spaceborne Precipitation Radar with NOAA/NSSL Ground Radar-based National Mosaic QPE. J of Hydrometeorology. 13 (4): 1285-1300. [ 10.1175/JHM-D-11-0139.1]
AGHAKOUCHAK A., A. BEHRANGI, S. SOROOSHIAN, K. HSU, and E. E. AMITAI. 2011. Evaluation of satellite-retrieved extreme precipitation rates across the Central United States. J Geophys Res. 116, (D02115): [10.1029/2010JD014741]
AMITAI, E., X. LLORT, and D. SEMPERE-TORRES. 2009. Comparison of TRMM radar rainfall estimates with NOAA Next Generation QPE. J Meteor Soc Japan. 87A 109-118. [ 10.2151/jmsj.87A.109]
NYSTUEN, J., E. AMITAI, E. ANAGNOSTOU, and M. ANAGNOSTOU. 2008. Spatial averaging of oceanic rainfall variability using underwater sound: Ionian Sea Rainfall Experiment. J Acoust Soc Amer. 123 (4): 1952-1962. [ 10.1121/1.2871485]
ANAGNOSTOU M., J. NYSTUEN, E. ANAGNOSTOU, E. NIKOLOPOULOS, and E. E. AMITAI. 2008. Evaluation of underwater rainfall measurements during the Ionian Sea Rainfall Experiment. IEEE Trans Geosci Remote Sens. 46 (10): 2936-2946. [ 10.1109/TGRS.2008.2000756]
AMITAI E. E., J. NYSTUEN, E. ANAGNOSTOU, and M. ANAGNOSTOU. 2007. Comparison of deep underwater measurements and radar observations of rainfall. IEEE Geo Rem Sen Lett. 4 (3): 406-410. [ 10.1109/LGRS.2007.895681]
AMITAI, E. E., X. LLORT, and D. SEMPERE-TORRES. 2006. Opportunities and challenges for evaluating precipitation estimates during GPM mission. MeteorZeitschrift. 15 (5): 551-557. [10.1127/0941-2948/2006/0157 ]
AMITAI, E., D. MARKS, D. B. WOLFF, D. SILBERSTEIN, B. L. FISHER, and J. PIPPITT. 2006. Evaluation of radar rainfall products: Lessons learned from NASA TRMM validation program in Florida. J Atmos Ocean Tech. 23 (11): 1492-1505. [ http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/JTECH1968.1]
AMITAI E. E., L. LIAO, X. LLORT, and R. MENEGHINI. 2005. Accuracy verification of spaceborne radar estimates of rain rate. Royal Meteor Soc Atmos Sci Lett. 6 2-6. [ 10.1002/asl.82]
WOLFF D. B., D. A. MARKS, E. E. AMITAI, D. S. SILBERSTEIN, B. L. FISHER, A. TOKAY, J. WANG, and J. L. PIPPITT. 2005. Ground validation for the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). J Atmos Ocean Tech. 22 (4): 365-380.
AMITAI E. E. 2004. Listening to the rain. Bulletin of the American Meteorology Society. 85 (1): 15.
AMITAI E. E., J. NYSTUEN, L. LIAO, R. MENEGHINI, and E. MORIN. 2004. Uniting space ground and underwater measurements for improved estimates of ran rate. IEEE Geosci Remote Sens Lett. 1 (2): 35-38. [ 10.1109/LGRS.2004.824767]
NYSTUEN A., and E. E. AMITAI. 2003. High temporal resolution of extreme rainfall rate variability and the acoustic classification of rainfall. J Geophys Res Atmos. 108 (D8): 8378-8388. [10.1029/2001JD001481]
AMITAI E. E., D. B. WOLFF, D. A. MARKS, and D. S. SILBERSTEIN. 2002. Radar rainfall estimation: Lessons learned from the NASA/TRMM validation program. Second European Conference on Radar Meteorology (ERAD), November 18-22, Delft, The Netherlands ERAD Publication Series, 1, 255-260 (Copernicus GmbH peer reviewed publication, ISBN 3-936586-04-7).
FISHER B. L., D. B. WOLFF, and E. E. AMITAI. 2001. Analytical software for validating time synchronous radar and rain gauge data. Remote Sensing and Hydrology 2000, edited by M Owe, K Brubaker, J Richtie and A Rango, IAHS. 267 27-31.
AMITAI E. E., D. B. WOLFF, M. ROBINSON, D. A. MARKS, M. S. KULIE, and B. S. FERRIER. 2001. Systematic variations of Ze-R relations: Implications to Hydrology. Remote Sensing and Hydrology 2000, edited by M Owe, K Brubaker, J Richtie and A Rango, IAHS. 267 43-45.
AMITAI E. E. 2000. Systematic Variation of Observed Radar Reflectivity-Rainfall Rate Relations in the Tropics. J App Meteor. 39 (12): 2198-2208.
MARKS D. A., M. KULIE, M. ROBINSON, D. S. SILBERSTEIN, D. B. WOLFF, B. FERRIER, E. E. AMITAI, B. L. FISHER, J. WANG, and O. THIELE. 2000. Climatological Processing and Product Development for the TRMM Ground Validation Program. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth (B). 25 871-875.
ATLAS D., C. W. ULBRICH, F. D. MARKS, R. A. BLACK, E. E. AMITAI, P. T. WILLIS, and C. E. SAMSURY. 2000. Partitioning tropical oceanic convective and stratiform rains by draft strength. J Geophys Res. 105 2259-2267.
GABELLA M., and E. E. AMITAI. 2000. Radar rainfall estimates in an alpine environment using different gage-adjustment techniques. Phys Chem Earth (B). 25 927-931.
ROBINSON M., M. S. KULIE, D. S. SILBERSTEIN, D. A. MARKS, D. B. WOLFF, E. E. AMITAI, B. FERRIER, B. L. FISHER, and J. WANG. 2000. Evolving Improvements to TRMM Ground Validation Rainfall Estimates. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth (B). 25 971-976.
AMITAI E. E. 1999. Relationships between radar properties at high elevations and surface rain rate: potential use for spaceborne rainfall measurements. J Appl Meteor. 38 321-333.
ATLAS D., W. ULBRICH, F. D. MARKS, E. E. AMITAI, and C. WILLIAMS. 1999. Systematic variation of drop size and radar-rainfall relations. J Geophys Res. 104 6155-6169.
ROSENFELD D., and E. E. AMITAI. 1998. Comparison of WPMM versus regression for evaluating Z-R relationships . J Appl Meteor. 37 1241-1249.
MORIN J., D. ROSENFELD, and E. E. AMITAI. 1995. Radar rain field evaluation and possible use of its high temporal and spatial resolution for hydrological purposes. J Hydrology. 172 275-292.
ROSENFELD D., E. E. AMITAI, and D. B. WOLFF. 1995. Improved accuracy of radar WPMM estimated rainfall upon application of objective classification criteria. J Appl Meteor. 34 212-223.
ROSENFELD D., E. E. AMITAI, and D. B. WOLFF. 1995. Classification of rain regimes by the 3-dimensional properties of reflectivity fields. J Appl Meteor. 34 198-211.
WOODLEY W. L., E. E. AMITAI, and D. ROSENFELD. 1994. Comparison of cloud tower and updraft radii with their internal temperature excesses relative to their environments. J Wea Mod. 26 125-128.
ROSENFELD D., D. B. WOLFF, and E. E. AMITAI. 1994. The window probability matching method for rainfall measurements with radar. J Appl Meteor. 33 682-693.
ROSENFELD D., D. ATLAS, D. B. WOLFF, and E. E. AMITAI. 1992. Beamwidth effects on Z-R relations and area-integrated rainfall. J Appl Meteor. 31 454-464.
