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Inference of Precipitation in Warm Stratiform Clouds using Remotely Sensed Observations of the Cloud Top Droplet Size DistributionDrizzle is a common feature of warm stratiform clouds and it influences their radiative effects by modulating their physical properties and lifecycle. An important component of drizzle formation are processes that lead to a broadening of the droplet size distribution (DSD). Here, we examine observations of cloud and drizzle properties retrieved using colocated airborne measurements from the Research Scanning Polarimeter and the Third Generation Airborne Precipitation Radar. We observe a bimodal DSD as the aircraft transects drizzling open-cells whereby the larger mode reaches a maximum size near cloud center and the smaller mode remains relatively constant in size. We review similarities between our observations with droplet growth processes and their connections with precipitation onset. We estimate droplet sedimentation using the cloud top DSD and find a correlation with rain water path of 0.82. We also examine how changes in liquid water paths and droplet concentrations may act to enhance or suppress precipitation.
Document ID
20210000336
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Accepted Manuscript (Version with final changes)
Authors
Kenneth Sinclair ORCID
(Universities Space Research Association Columbia, Maryland, United States)
Bastiaan van Diedenhoven ORCID
(Columbia University New York, New York, United States)
Brian Cairns
(Goddard Institute for Space Studies New York, New York, United States)
Mikhail Alexandrov
(Columbia University New York, New York, United States)
Andrew M. Dzambo ORCID
(University of Oklahoma Madison, Wisconsin, United States)
Tristan L'Ecuyer
(University of Wisconsin–Madison Madison, Wisconsin, United States)
Date Acquired
January 12, 2021
Publication Date
May 11, 2021
Publication Information
Publication: Geophysical Research Letters
Publisher: Wiley / American Geophysical Union
Volume: 48
Issue: 10
Issue Publication Date: May 28, 2021
ISSN: 0094-8276
e-ISSN: 1944-8007
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNH15CO48B
CONTRACT_GRANT: 80NSSC18M0133
WBS: 388982.05.05.03.05.06
CONTRACT_GRANT: 80NSSC20M0282
CONTRACT_GRANT: J-090007
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Use by or on behalf of the US Gov. Permitted.
Technical Review
External Peer Committee
Keywords
Droplet size distribution
Bimodal
Polarimetry
Droplet growth
Stratiform Clouds
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