Cloud Microphysical Properties, Processes, and Rainfall Estimation Opportunities

Rosenfeld, Daniel; Ulbrich, Carlton W.

doi:10.1175/0065-9401(2003)030<0237:cmppar>2.0.co;2

Cited by 174 publications

(151 citation statements)

References 74 publications

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“…As shown in Figures 1(a) and (b), at Gadanki the wind flow in the SW monsoon is over the continent, while in the NE monsoon it is over the ocean (Bay of Bengal). Therefore, the rainfall and DSD are mostly continental and oceanic in nature during SW and NE monsoon seasons, respectively, consistent with the observations of Kozu et al (2006) (Tokay et al, 2002;Rosenfeld and Ulbrich, 2003;Bringi et al, 2003;Ulbrich and Atlas, 2007). For instance, during moderate to heavy rain (R > 10 mm hr −1 ), 80% of the D m population at Gadanki is in the range 1.5-2.6 and 1.3-2.2 mm in the SW and NE monsoons, respectively.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

“…Different DSDs in different seasons will lead to different Z -R relationships ( Figure 9). The prefactor and exponent of the relations are completely different from each other and also from that used at other geographical locations (Rosenfeld and Ulbrich, 2003;Ulbrich and Atlas, 2007;and references therein). Thus, the usage of a single Z -R relation for converting radar reflectivity into R will underestimate in one season and overestimate in the other season.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 83%

“…Therefore, the effect of complex topography on rainfall, in particular on DSD, is difficult to assess. In general, orographic convection generates small D 0 or D m values (<1 mm) even in the presence of moderate R (Rosenfeld and Ulbrich, 2003). The R versus D m plot for SW and NE monsoons (Figure 7(b)) depicts D m always greater than 1 mm for R > 8 mm hr −1 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…The variability of DSD within the storm, from storm to storm and from one region to the next, has been elucidated in many earlier studies (Rosenfeld and Ulbrich, 2003, and references therein). It is important to understand whether the observed DSD variability is random or associated with any complex microphysical process.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several possible reasons for the observed differences in DSD are examined, including instrumental problems to geophysical mechanisms. From the observed wind field and similarities in the distribution (and the range) of D m during the SW (NE) monsoon and continental (oceanic) DSD elsewhere (Tokay et al, 2002;Bringi et al, 2003;Rosenfeld and Ulbrich, 2003;Ulbrich and Atlas, 2007), it is considered that the rain DSD at Gadanki in the SW and NE monsoons are, respectively, continental and oceanic in nature. Except for the first study mentioned above, all other studies used ensembles of rain DSDs collected from several geographical locations with an assumption that all oceanic (continental) DSD are influenced by similar microphysical processes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Differences in raindrop size distribution from southwest monsoon to northeast monsoon at Gadanki

Rao

Radhakrishna

Nakamura

et al. 2009

Quart J Royal Meteoro Soc

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Characteristics of raindrop size distribution (DSD) are studied during the southwest (SW) and northeast (NE) monsoon seasons using 4 1/2 years of DSD measurements made at Gadanki (13.5 • N, 79.2 • E) by an impact-type disdrometer. The observed DSD is found to be distinctly different in the NE monsoon from that of the SW monsoon. The stratified DSD (based on rain rate) shows more small drops and fewer bigger drops in the NE monsoon than in the SW monsoon, particularly in the low rain rate regime. This feature is not an anomalous one, rather observed consistently in all the years. The diurnal variation of DSD (in terms of mass-weighted mean diameter, D m ) plots in both monsoons show large values of D m in the evening hours. Several possible reasons, from instrumental problems to geophysical mechanisms, for the observed DSD differences are examined. The wind field and the range of D m values indicate that the DSDs in the SW and NE monsoons are continental and oceanic in nature, respectively. Further, high temperature and intense convective activity (vigorous updraughts) in the SW monsoon modify the DSD through evaporation, drop sorting, and collision-coalescence processes.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 83%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Differences in raindrop size distribution from southwest monsoon to northeast monsoon at Gadanki

Rao

Radhakrishna

Nakamura

et al. 2009

Quart J Royal Meteoro Soc

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Global observations of aerosol-cloud-precipitation-climate interactions

et al. 2014

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Cloud drop condensation nuclei (CCN) and ice nuclei (IN) particles determine to a large extent cloud microstructure and, consequently, cloud albedo and the dynamic response of clouds to aerosol-induced changes to precipitation. This can modify the reflected solar radiation and the thermal radiation emitted to space. Measurements of tropospheric CCN and IN over large areas have not been possible and can be only roughly approximated from satellite-sensor-based estimates of optical properties of aerosols. Our lack of ability to measure both CCN and cloud updrafts precludes disentangling the effects of meteorology from those of aerosols and represents the largest component in our uncertainty in anthropogenic climate forcing. Ways to improve the retrieval accuracy include multiangle and multipolarimetric passive measurements of the optical signal and multispectral lidar polarimetric measurements. Indirect methods include proxies of trace gases, as retrieved by hyperspectral sensors. Perhaps the most promising emerging direction is retrieving the CCN properties by simultaneously retrieving convective cloud drop number concentrations and updraft speeds, which amounts to using clouds as natural CCN chambers. These satellite observations have to be constrained by in situ observations of aerosol-cloud-precipitation-climate (ACPC) interactions, which in turn constrain a hierarchy of model simulations of ACPC. Since the essence of a general circulation model is an accurate quantification of the energy and mass fluxes in all forms between the surface, atmosphere and outer space, a route to progress is proposed here in the form of a series of box flux closure experiments in the various climate regimes. A roadmap is provided for quantifying the ACPC interactions and thereby reducing the uncertainty in anthropogenic climate forcing.

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Precipitation microphysics characteristics of a Typhoon Matmo (2014) rainband after landfall over eastern China based on polarimetric radar observations

et al. 2016

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The evolution of microphysical characteristics of a rainband in Typhoon Matmo (2014) over eastern China, through its onset, developing, mature, and dissipating stages, is documented using observations from an S band polarimetric Doppler radar and a two‐dimensional video disdrometer (2DVD). The drop size distributions observed by the 2DVD and retrieved from the polarimetric radar measurements indicate that the convection in the rainband generally contains smaller drops and higher number concentrations than the typical maritime type convection described in Bringi et al. (2003). The average mass‐weighted mean diameter (Dm) of convective precipitation in the rainband is about 1.41 mm, and the average logarithmic normalized intercept (Nw) is 4.67 log10 mm−1 m−3. To further investigate the dominant microphysical processes, the evolution of the vertical structures of polarimetric variables is examined. Results show that complex ice processes are involved above the freezing level, while it is most likely that the accretion and/or coalescence processes dominate below the freezing level throughout the rainband life cycle. A combined examination of the polarimetric measurements and profiles of estimated vertical liquid and ice water contents indicates that the conversion of cloud water into rainwater through cloud water accretion by raindrops plays a dominant role in producing heavy rainfall. The high estimated precipitation efficiency of 50% also suggests that cloud water accretion is the dominant mechanism for producing heavy rainfall. This study represents the first time that radar and 2DVD observations are used together to characterize the microphysical characteristics and precipitation efficiency for typhoon rainbands in China.

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Cloud Microphysical Properties, Processes, and Rainfall Estimation Opportunities

Cited by 174 publications

References 74 publications

Differences in raindrop size distribution from southwest monsoon to northeast monsoon at Gadanki

Differences in raindrop size distribution from southwest monsoon to northeast monsoon at Gadanki

Global observations of aerosol-cloud-precipitation-climate interactions

Precipitation microphysics characteristics of a Typhoon Matmo (2014) rainband after landfall over eastern China based on polarimetric radar observations

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