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Diagnosing the Intercept Parameter for Exponential Raindrop Size Distribution Based on Video Disdrometer Observations: Model Development

Diagnosing the Intercept Parameter for Exponential Raindrop Size Distribution Based on Video... The exponential distribution N ( D ) = N 0 exp(−Λ D ) with a fixed intercept parameter N 0 is most commonly used to represent raindrop size distribution (DSD) in rainfall estimation and in single-moment bulk microphysics parameterization schemes. Disdrometer observations show that the intercept parameter is far from constant and systematically depends on the rain type and intensity. In this study, a diagnostic relation of N 0 as a function of rainwater content W is derived based on two-dimensional video disdrometer (2DVD) measurements. The data reveal a clear correlation between N 0 and W in which N 0 increases as W increases. To minimize the effects of sampling error, a relation between two middle moments is used to derive the N 0 – W relation. This diagnostic relation has the potential to improve rainfall estimation and bulk microphysics parameterizations. A parameterization scheme for warm rain processes based on the diagnostic N 0 DSD model is formulated and presented. The diagnostic N 0 -based parameterization scheme yields less evaporation and accretion for stratiform rain than that using fixed N 0 . http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology American Meteorological Society

Diagnosing the Intercept Parameter for Exponential Raindrop Size Distribution Based on Video Disdrometer Observations: Model Development

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Publisher
American Meteorological Society
Copyright
Copyright © 2007 American Meteorological Society
ISSN
1558-8432
DOI
10.1175/2008JAMC1876.1
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

The exponential distribution N ( D ) = N 0 exp(−Λ D ) with a fixed intercept parameter N 0 is most commonly used to represent raindrop size distribution (DSD) in rainfall estimation and in single-moment bulk microphysics parameterization schemes. Disdrometer observations show that the intercept parameter is far from constant and systematically depends on the rain type and intensity. In this study, a diagnostic relation of N 0 as a function of rainwater content W is derived based on two-dimensional video disdrometer (2DVD) measurements. The data reveal a clear correlation between N 0 and W in which N 0 increases as W increases. To minimize the effects of sampling error, a relation between two middle moments is used to derive the N 0 – W relation. This diagnostic relation has the potential to improve rainfall estimation and bulk microphysics parameterizations. A parameterization scheme for warm rain processes based on the diagnostic N 0 DSD model is formulated and presented. The diagnostic N 0 -based parameterization scheme yields less evaporation and accretion for stratiform rain than that using fixed N 0 .

Journal

Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology – American Meteorological Society

Published: Sep 18, 2007

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