Investigation of Cloud Microphysical Features During the Passage of a Tropical Mesoscale Convective System: Numerical Simulations and X-Band Radar Observations

Das, Subrata Kumar; Hazra, Anupam; Deshpande, Sachin M.; Krishna, U. V. Murali; Kolte, Yogesh K.

doi:10.1007/s00024-020-02622-w

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 44 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In addition, a relatively higher amount of water vapour also supports the formation of convective clouds. Ground‐based radar measurements and model simulations corroborate the presence of convective systems on the leeward side of WG during postmonsoon (Das et al ., 2021). The microphysics of convective systems can be altered by the presence of updrafts.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The rainfall simulations in the numerical weather prediction models depend considerably on DSD (Ćurić et al ., 2010). The major source of uncertainty in the numerical models for predicting convective storms lies in the model microphysics schemes (e.g., Halder and Mukhopadhyay, 2016; Das et al ., 2021). The parameterizations in the numerical models utilize two‐moment microphysical schemes in which the hydrometeor mixing ratio and number concentrations are estimated (e.g., Morrison and Milbrandt, 2011; Das et al ., 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The major source of uncertainty in the numerical models for predicting convective storms lies in the model microphysics schemes (e.g., Halder and Mukhopadhyay, 2016; Das et al ., 2021). The parameterizations in the numerical models utilize two‐moment microphysical schemes in which the hydrometeor mixing ratio and number concentrations are estimated (e.g., Morrison and Milbrandt, 2011; Das et al ., 2021). This assumes a fixed shape parameter ( μ ) in the gamma distribution (Saleeby and Cotton, 2004), introducing errors in the precipitation estimation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Characterization of rain microphysics on the leeside of the Western Ghats

Krishna

Das

Kolte

et al. 2023

Quart J Royal Meteoro Soc

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study evaluates the performance of four impact‐type disdrometers installed at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, located on the leeside of the Western Ghats (WG). Further, seasonal variation of rain microphysical properties is studied during pre‐monsoon (March–May), monsoon (June–September), post‐monsoon (October–November), and winter (December–February). The four disdrometers exhibit comparable raindrop‐size distribution (DSD) patterns, though negligible differences are found at smaller drop diameters. The DSD shows higher concentrations of smaller (large‐size) drops during monsoon (pre‐monsoon and post‐monsoon). Principal component analysis revealed three distinct modes of DSD characteristics. Monsoon DSDs are associated with a group of numerous smaller drops allied with shallow storm heights (warm rain). The pre‐monsoon and post‐monsoon DSDs are clustered in a group where ice‐based processes dominate, resulting in higher median drop diameters (D0) and smaller normalized intercept parameters (Nw). The fitted gamma DSD model indicates higher mass‐weighted mean diameter (Dm) during pre‐monsoon, and higher intercept parameter during monsoon, whereas post‐monsoon and winter have intermediate values. DSD stratified with rain rate shows that the Dm values increase with an increase in rain rate during winter, monsoon and post‐monsoon, whereas in pre‐monsoon, Dm increases initially and then decreases. Higher Dm and lower Nw are observed during convective rain in all seasons. The fitted slope (λ)‐shape (μ) parameter relationships show a considerable seasonal variation. The DSD on the WG leeside is notably different from the windward slopes and other WG locations. Different microphysical and dynamical mechanisms lead to seasonal differences in DSD characteristics. In monsoon, a considerable volume of water vapour advected from the Arabian Sea promotes the formation of raindrops through collision‐coalescence processes, which may result in a higher proportion of smaller and mid‐sized raindrops. The deeper clouds during pre‐monsoon and post‐monsoon indicate mixed‐phase processes, which leads to mid‐ and large‐sized raindrops.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Characterization of rain microphysics on the leeside of the Western Ghats

Krishna

Das

Kolte

et al. 2023

Quart J Royal Meteoro Soc

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…On the contrary, high temporal and spatial resolution ground‐based radar observations help depict continuous evolution of convective storms. Although there have been some documentation related to the convection characteristics over the WG (Das et al., 2021; Deshpande et al., 2015; Jha et al., 2019; Sukanya & Kalapureddy, 2021; Utsav el al., 2017, 2019) the co‐evolution of convective storms and lightning during the monsoon has not been studied till now. With the aforesaid background, the aim of the present paper is to investigate the co‐evolution of convective storms and associated lightning by using ground‐based X‐band radar observations and lightning location network data over the WG during monsoon.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationship Between Convective Storm Properties and Lightning Over the Western Ghats

Utsav

Deshpande

Das

et al. 2022

Earth and Space Science

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

X‐band radar observations are integrated with lightning location network observations to investigate the relationship between convective storm properties and lightning over the Western Ghats during a monsoon season (June–September 2014). Convective storms (cells) were identified using an objective‐tracking method and instantaneous lightning strikes within the radar domain were then linked with observed storms. This spatio‐temporal sampling of individual convective cells and lightning has facilitated process‐based study of electrified convection over the Ghats for the first time. Storm and lightning occurrences are typically high during monsoon onset and withdrawal months of June and September, respectively. A spatial correspondence between deep‐intense storms, lightning, and intense convective cores indicated presence of large hydrometeors in the mixed‐phase region of storm supported by strong updrafts and is essential for lightning. The large‐scale instability that peaked during afternoon hours was a key factor in the formation of deep‐intense storms and lightning. Results show that majority of lightning‐producing storms are located on the leeward side as opposed to the windward side. These storms have deeper top‐heights, larger areas and vertically integrated liquid, and an enhanced hail probability than those devoid of lightning. Warm season convection in the study area is accompanied by the preponderance of negative Cloud to Ground (−CG) flashes over positive Cloud to Ground (+CG) lightning. Storms with +CG features exhibited much higher (>2 times) vertical airmass flux in the mid‐troposphere (6–9 km) than storms without +CG features. Furthermore, for majority of +CG storms, intracloud flash occurrences increased significantly above the freezing level.

show abstract