Progress in Studies of the Precipitation Diurnal Variation over Contiguous China

This paper summarizes the recent progress in studies of the diurnal variation of precipitation over con- tiguous China. The main results are as follows. （1） The rainfall diurnal variation over contiguous China presents distinct regional features. In summer, precipitation peaks in the late afternoon over the south- ern inland China and northeastern China, while it peaks around midnight over southwestern China. In the upper and middle reaches of Yangtze River valley, precipitation occurs mostly in the early morning. Summer precipitation over the central eastern China （most regions of the Tibetan Plateau） has two diurnal peaks, i.e., one in the early morning （midnight） and the other in the late afternoon. （2） The rainfall diurnal variation experiences obvious seasonal and sub-seasonal evolutions. In cold seasons, the regional contrast of rainfall diurnal peaks decreases, with an early morning maximum over most of the southern China. Over the central eastern China, diurnal monsoon rainfall shows sub-seasonal variations with the movement of summer monsoon systems. The rainfall peak mainly occurs in the early morning （late afternoon） during the active （break） monsoon period. （3） Cloud properties and occurrence time of rainfall diurnal peaks are different for long- and short-duration rainfall events. Long-duration rainfall events are dominated by strat- iform precipitation, with the maximum surface rain rate and the highest profile occurring in the late night to early morning, while short-duration rainfall events are more related to convective precipitation, with the maximum surface rain rate and the highest profile occurring between the late afternoon and early night. （4） The rainfall diurnal variation is influenced by multi-scale mountain-valley and land-sea breezes as well as large-scale atmospheric circulation, and involves complicated formation and evolution of cloud and rainfall systems. The diurnal cycle of winds in the lower troposphere also contributes to the regional differences     

利用星载测雨雷达探测结果对夏季中国南方对流和层云降水气候特征的分析

本文利用热带测雨卫星(TRMM)上搭载的测雨雷达(PR)十年的探测结果, 对夏季中国南方对流降水和层云降水的气候特征进行了分析。研究结果表明:夏季中国南方层云降水频次较对流降水频次高出两倍以上, 而对流降水强度至少是层云降水强度的4倍; 就整个中国南方而言, 这两种类型的降水对总降水量贡献相当。日变化分析表明夏季中国南方大部分地区的对流降水主要出现在午后, 层云降水出现时间并不集中, 但这两类降水的频次日变化均显示了明显的地域性特征; 对降水廓线日变化的分析结果表明, 对流降水和层云降水廓线的日变化主要表现在“雨顶”高度的日变化, 即对流降水云的厚度有明显的日变化变化特征, 不同地区的降水廓线存在明显的差异。降水率剖面分析结果显示了对流降水的“雨顶” 高度日变化较层云降水剧烈, 降水率的日变化则相反, 且层云降水率的地域性特征更强。     

中国大陆降水日变化研究进展

文章概述了中国大陆降水日变化的最新研究成果,给出了中国大陆降水日变化的整体图像,指出目前数值模式模拟降水日变化的局限性,为及时了解和掌握降水日变化研究进展、开展相关科学研究和进行降水预报服务提供了有价值的科学依据和参考。现有研究表明：（1）中国大陆夏季降水日变化的区域特征明显。在夏季,东南和东北地区的降水日峰值主要集中在下午;西南地区多在午夜达到降水峰值;长江中上游地区的降水多出现在清晨;中东部地区清晨、午后双峰并存;青藏高原大部分地区是下午和午夜峰值并存。（2）降水日变化存在季节差异和季节内演变。冷季降水日峰值时刻的区域差异较暖季明显减小,在冷季南方大部分地区都表现为清晨峰值;中东部地区暖季降水日变化随季风雨带的南北进退表现出清晰的季节内演变,季风活跃（间断）期的日降水峰值多发生在清晨（下午）。（3）持续性降水和局地短时降水的云结构特性以及降水日峰值出现时间存在显著差异。持续性降水以层状云特性为主,地表降水和降水廓线的峰值大多位于午夜后至清晨;短时降水以对流降水为主,峰值时间则多出现在下午至午夜前。（4）降水日变化涉及不同尺度的山-谷风、海-陆风和大气环流的综合影响,涉及复杂的云雨形成和演变过程,对流层低层环流日变化对降水日变化的区域差异亦有重要影响。（5）目前数值模式对中国降水日变化的模拟能力有限,且模拟结果具有很强的模式依赖性,仅仅提高模式水平分辨率并不能总是达到改善模拟结果的目的,关键是要减少存在于降水相关的物理过程参数化方案中的不确定性问题。     

DIURNAL CYCLES OF CONVECTIVE AND STRATIFORM PRECIPITATION OVER NORTH CHINA DURING SUMMER

The diurnal cycles of precipitation over north China during summer in four strong rainfall years are examined using two-dimensional cloud-resolving modeling data. The diurnal signals are analyzed in terms of precipitation budget, fractional rainfall coverage and rain intensity over convective and stratiform rainfall area. The analysis of precipitation budget shows that the diurnal cycles of convective and stratiform precipitation mainly correspond respectively to those of water vapor convergence and transport of hydrometeor from convective rainfall area to stratiform rainfall area in 1964, 1994 and 1995, whereas they mainly correspond to those of water vapor convergence in 2013. The diurnal cycles of convective and stratiform precipitation are mainly associated with those of rain intensity in 1964, 1994 and 1995. In 2013, the diurnal cycle of stratiform precipitation is mainly related to that of fractional rainfall coverage over stratiform rainfall area. The multiple peaks of convective precipitation mainly correspond to the rain intensity maxima associated with strong water vapor convergence.     

Statistical Characteristics of Raindrop Size Distribution in the Tibetan Plateau and Southern China

The characteristics of raindrop size distribution(DSD) over the Tibetan Plateau and southern China are studied in this paper, using the DSD data from April to August 2014 collected by HSC-PS32 disdrometers in Nagqu and Yangjiang, comprising a total of 9430 and 6366 1-min raindrop spectra, respectively. The raindrop spectra, characteristics of parameter variations with rainfall rate, and the relationships between reflectivity factor(Z) and rainfall rate(R) are analyzed, as well as their DSD changes with precipitation type and rainfall rate. The results show that the average raindrop spectra appear to be one-peak curves, the number concentration for larger drops increase significantly with rainfall rate, and its value over southern China is much higher, especially in convective rain. Standardized Gamma distributions better describe DSD for larger drops, especially for convective rain in southern China. All three Gamma parameters for stratiform precipitation over the Tibetan Plateau are much higher, while its shape parameter(μ) and mass-weighted mean diameter(D_m), for convective precipitation, are less. In terms of parameter variation with rainfall rate, the normalized intercept parameter(N_w) over the Tibetan Plateau for stratiform rain increases with rainfall rate, which is opposite to the situation in convective rain. The μover the Tibetan Plateau for stratiform and convective precipitation types decreases with an increase in rainfall rate, which is opposite to the case for D m variation. In Z–R relationships, like "Z = AR~b", the coefficient A over the Tibetan Plateau is smaller, while its b is higher, when the rain type transfers from stratiform to convective ones. Furthermore, with an increase in rainfall rate, parameters A and b over southern China increase gradually, while A over the Tibetan Plateau decreases substantially, which differs from the findings of previous studies. In terms of geographic location and climate over the Tibetan Plateau and southern China, the precipitation in the pre-flood seasons is dominated by strong convective rain, while weak convective rain occurs frequently in northern Tibet with lower humidity and higher altitude.     

基于星载测雨雷达探测的亚洲对流和层云降水季尺度特征分析

利用热带测雨卫星搭载的测雨雷达10年探测结果,就季尺度亚洲对流降水和层云降水的降水频次和强度及降水垂直结构的特点进行了研究.结果表明春、秋、冬三季东亚季平均降水环西太平洋副热带高压呈带状分布,雨强一般不超过10 mm/d;夏季,沿孟加拉湾、中国西南、中国东部至日本的大片雨区中出现了大于12 mm/d强降水;亚洲陆面对流和层云降水强度均弱于洋面.亚洲山地强迫不但可引起迎风坡上千公里长度的高降水频次和强降水带,而且导致其下风方向降水频次减少.季尺度降水频次分析表明,亚洲大部分地区对流降水频次小于3%;而层云降水频次一般大于3%,最高可超过10%;副热带高压南侧及西南侧的热带地区对流和层云降水频次均高于副热带高压北侧及西北侧的中纬度地区;降水频次的区域分布还表明,春季中南半岛至中国华南及南海南部对流活动多于同期的印度次大陆.季平均对流和层云降水廓线的季节变化主要表现为"雨顶"高度的季节变化,即降水云的厚度变化;两类降水平均廓线季节变化的区域性差异表明,热带外地区较热带地区显著、陆面较同纬度洋面显著、孟加拉湾比南海显著,而南海和西太平洋暖池无明显的季节变化.此外,降水结构的剖面分析还表明对流降水存在4层结构、层云降水存在3层结构.     

An Investigation into the Relationship between Surface Rain Rate and Rain Depth over Southeast Asia

The relationship between surface rain rate and depth of rain system(rain depth) over Southeast Asia is examined using 10-yr Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission(TRMM) precipitation radar(PR) measurements.Results show that,in general,a large surface rain rate is associated with a deep precipitating system,but a deep rain system may not always correspond with a large surface rain rate.This feature has a regional characteristic.Convective rain develops more frequently over land than over the ocean,while stratiform rain can extend to higher altitudes over the ocean than over land.A light surface rain rate has the largest probability to occur,regardless of rain depth.A convective rain system is more likely associated with a stronger surface rain rate than a stratiform rain system.Results show that precipitation systems involve complex microphysical processes.Rain depth is just one characteristic of precipitation.A linear relationship between surface rain rate and rain depth does not exist.Both deep convective and stratiform rain systems have reflectivity profiles that can be divided into three sections.The main difference in their profiles is at higher levels,from 4.5 km up to 19 km.For shallow stratiform rain systems,a two-section reflectivity profile mainly exists,while for convective systems a three-section profile is more common.     

星载测雨雷达探测的夏季亚洲对流与层云降水雨顶高度气候特征

利用热带测雨卫星测雨雷达的10年探测结果,对夏季亚洲对流降水与层云降水雨顶高度分布、雨顶高度与地表降水强度的关系、雨顶高度日变化特征进行了研究。结果表明,青藏高原和中国东部平原的多数(70%以上)对流降水雨顶高度分布在8—12和5—10km,其他地区分布在5—9km;陆面对流降水雨顶平均高度高于洋面。洋面和陆面层云降水雨顶高度没有明显差异,多在5—8km。夏季亚洲浅对流降水比例少,而深厚对流主要出现在中国东部平原、西南、印度次大陆西部至伊朗高原东部地区,比例约40%。洋面和陆面的弱对流降水的雨顶平均高度在7—8km,弱层云降水相应的雨顶平均高度多小于7.5km;陆面约90%的强对流降水雨顶平均高度在9km以上,而强层云降水雨顶的平均高度通常不超过8.5km。夏季亚洲对流降水和层云降水的雨顶平均高度均随着地面平均降水率的增大而升高,两者遵从二次函数关系。对流降水及层云降水频次、强度和雨顶高度的日变化峰值分析表明,陆面这些参量的日变化强于洋面,并且三者的日变化基本同步。     

Classification and Diurnal Variations of Precipitation Echoes Observed by a C-band Vertically-Pointing Radar in Central Tibetan Plateau during TIPEX-III 2014-IOP

This study investigates classification and diurnal variations of the precipitation echoes over the central Tibetan Plateau based on the observations collected from a C-band vertically-pointing frequency-modulated continuous-wave (C-FMCW) radar during the Third Tibetan Plateau Atmospheric Scientific Experiment (TIPEX-III) 2014-Intensive Observation Period (2014-IOP). The results show that 51.32% of the vertical profiles have valid echoes with reflectivity >–10 dBZ, and 35.06% of the valid echo profiles produce precipitation at the ground (precipitation profiles); stratiform precipitation with an evident bright-band signature, weak convective precipitation, and strong convective precipitation account for 52.03%, 42.98%, and 4.99% of the precipitation profiles, respectively. About 59.84% of the precipitation occurs in the afternoon to midnight, while 40.16% of the precipitation with weaker intensity is observed in the nocturnal hours and in the morning. Diurnal variation of occurrence frequency of precipitation shows a major peak during 2100–2200 LST (local solar time) with 59.02% being the stratiform precipitation; the secondary peak appears during 1300–1400 LST with 59.71% being the weak convective precipitation; the strong convective precipitation occurs mostly (81.83%) in the afternoon and evening with two peaks over 1200–1300 and 1700–1800 LST, respectively. Starting from approximately 1100 LST, precipitation echoes develop with enhanced vertical air motion, elevated echo top, and increasing radar reflectivity. Intense upward air motion occurs most frequently in 1700–1800 LST with a secondary peak in 1100–1400 LST, while the tops of precipitation echoes and intense upward air motion reach their highest levels during 1600–1800 LST. The atmospheric conditions in the early morning are disadvantageous for convective initiation and development. Around noon, the convective available potential energy (CAPE) increases markedly, convective inhibition (CIN) is generally small, and a super-dry-adiabatic layer is present near the surface (0–400 m). In the early evening, some larger values of CAPE, level of neutral buoyancy, and total precipitable water are present, suggesting more favorable thermodynamic and water vapor conditions.     

中国东部暖季对流云与层状云的比例及与降水的对应关系

基于1985~2011年逐时地面台站观测云资料,分析了对流云和层状云及其比例关系的时空演变特征,结合逐日融合降水资料研究了对流云、层状云与季风雨带的对应关系。结果表明,中国东部暖季（5~9月）对流云发生频率平均为15.4%,层状云为30.0%。对流云与层状云发生频率的比例在广东、广西、海南省东部和贵州省大部分地区大于1,其它地区均小于1。伴随季风雨带的北进南退,层状云发生频率和云量中心均与降水中心对应,且层状云云带与季风雨带位置吻合,随时间的演变趋势也相同,说明季风雨带主要由层状降水构成,对流云发生频率和云量大值中心则位于季风雨带南侧。对流云和层状云发生频率/云量的变化在华南地区和江淮流域呈显著负相关,云的类型主要由大气稳定度决定。对流云和层状云发生频率在华北地区呈显著正相关,水汽是形成云的决定因素。就降水频率而言,华南地区层状云降水和对流云降水各占一定的比例,而江淮流域和华北地区层状云降水频率更大。     

Warm-Season Diurnal Variations of Total,Stratiform, Convective,and Extreme Hourly Precipitation over Central and Eastern China

Diurnal variations in amount, frequency and intensity of warm-season hourly precipitation(HP) at seven levels, which are defined as HP 0.1, 0.5, 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 mm, are revealed based on no less than 30 years of hourly rain-gauge observations at national stations over central and eastern China(CEC). This study investigates the variations, relationships, differences and similarities of total, stratiform, convective and extreme HP over the entire CEC and various subregions. Results indicate that the variations in the amount and frequency of HP at the seven levels over the entire CEC all display a bimodal feature. For various regions, the variations of total HP mostly feature two peaks, while convective HP mainly occurs in the late afternoon and determines the diurnal variation of total HP intensity. On the basis of the primary peak time periods of HP frequency at all levels over different subregions, the variations can be classified into three main categories: late-afternoon primary peak, nocturnal primary peak, and time-shifting primary peak. However, the variations over some coastal regions like the Liaodong Peninsula, the Shandong Peninsula, and the coastal regions of Guangdong, distinctly differ from those over their corresponding larger regions. Overall, the normalized diurnal variation amplitude of amount and frequency increases with the increasing HP intensity; convective precipitation can be represented by HP 10 mm; and the intensity of HP 50 mm is slightly larger during the nighttime than during the daytime over the entire CEC. In northern China, diurnal variation in HP 5 mm can represent well that in convective precipitation.     

华北地区秋冬季气溶胶污染与不同类型降水的关系

气溶胶对降水的影响具有很大的不确定性,正确理解和认识气溶胶对不同类型降水的影响对提高天气预报的准确度和全球气候变化具有重要意义。利用GPM-DPR观测资料和MERRA-2再分析资料分析了气溶胶污染与华北地区2014—2020年秋、冬季对流云降水和层状云降水的关系。结果表明:与清洁状况相比,气溶胶污染状况下对流云降水的降水强度有所增强,雨顶高度更高。在污染状态下对流云降水具有粒径小但数浓度高的降水粒子,潜热加热率更高。气溶胶污染与层状云降水的降水强度、雨顶高度等宏观特征不存在明显相关。层状云降水相比对流云降水更容易受到大气水汽条件和垂直上升运动的影响。因此,在气象条件主导降水的情况下,气溶胶污染对华北地区层状云降水的影响很难通过GPM-DPR和MERRA-2数据观测到。      

Diurnal cycles of precipitation over subtropical China in IPCC AR5 AMIP simulations

Atmospheric Intercomparison Project simulations of the summertime diurnal cycle of precipitation and low-level winds over subtropical China by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fifth Assessment Report models were evaluated. By analyzing the diurnal variation of convective and stratiform components, results confirmed that major biases in rainfall diurnal cycles over subtropical China are due to convection parameterization and further pointed to the diurnal variation of convective rainfall being closely related to the closure of the convective scheme. All models captured the early-morning peak of total rainfall over the East China Sea, but most models had problems in simulating diurnal rainfall variations over land areas of subtropical China. When total rainfall was divided into stratiform and convective rainfall, all models successfully simulated the diurnal variation of stratiform rainfall with a maximum in the early morning. The models, overestimating noon-time （nocturnal） total rainfall over land, generally simulated too much convective rainfall, which peaked close to noon （midnight）, sharing some similarities in the closures of their deep convection schemes. The better performance of the Meteorological Research Institute atmospherer. ocean coupled global climate model version 3 （MRI-CGCM3） is attributed to the well captured ratio of the two kinds of rainfall, but not diurnal variations of the two components. Therefore, a proper ratio of convective and stratiform rainfall to total rainfall is also important to improve simulated diurnal rainfall variation.     

Diurnal responses of tropical convective and stratiform rainfall to diurnally varying sea surface temperature

Two experiments were carried out using a two-dimensional cloud-resolving model to study the effects of diurnally varying sea surface temperature (SST) on diurnal variations of tropical convective and stratiform rainfall. Experiment SST29 is imposed by a constant SST of 29°C, whereas experiment SST29D is imposed by a diurnally varying SST with a time-mean of 29°C and a diurnal difference of 1°C. Both experiments are also zonally uniformly imposed by a zero vertical velocity and a constant zonal wind, and are integrated for 40 days to reach quasi-equilibrium states. The model domain mean surface rain rate is larger in SST29D than in SST29 in the late afternoon, when the ocean surface is warmer in SST29D. Convective-stratiform rainfall partitioning analysis reveals that the late-afternoon convective rainfall is larger in SST29D than in SST29, whereas the stratiform rainfalls are similar in both experiments. Further analysis of surface rainfall and cloud microphysical budgets over convective regions shows that, in the late afternoon, the larger amount of water vapor is pumped into the non-raining region through the larger surface evaporation associated with the warmer SST. This water vapor is then transported into convective regions to produce more vapor condensation and greater collection of cloud water by raindrops and larger convective rainfall in SST29D than in SST29.     

中国东部云-降水对应关系的分析与模式评估

为评估和改进模式中不同类型云与降水的对应关系,利用1998—2007年卫星-台站融合降水资料和国际卫星云气候计划的卫星观测云资料,采用诊断方法分析了中国东部季风区冬季层云、夏季对流云、层云与降水的水平分布及季节变化对应关系,并评估了BCC_AGCM模式的T42和T106分辨率版本对云-降水对应关系的模拟能力。观测资料分析结果表明,中国东部冬季云带和雨带都稳定少动,降水主要来自雨层云和高层云,南部沿海层云和层积云也对降水有贡献;夏季,中国东部表现为层积混合云降水特征,对流云带与降水带具有较好的对应关系,并具有一致的移动特征。对流降水主要来自深对流云和卷层云,深对流云云量和降水中心完全吻合,卷层云云带则表现出比深对流云主体和降水带偏北的现象;层云降水主要来自高层云和层积云。模式评估结果表明,中、低分辨率版本的BCC_AGCM模式均模拟出了冬季层云和稳定少动的降水带、夏季深对流云、卷层云和降水带的对应关系及随季风推进的移动特征。与T42模式版本相比,T106模式版本在夏季对流云云量的模拟及其与降水带的对应关系方面有所改善,说明改进的BCC_AGCM积云对流参数化方案与高分辨率模式网格更匹配,但冬季层云云量模拟误差变大,与降水带的对应关系变差,其原因值得进一步分析研究。     

安徽滁州夏季一次飑线过程的雨滴谱特征

选取2014年7月31日安徽滁州一次飑线过程,使用地基雨滴谱仪资料分析此次过程的雨滴谱特征。根据雷达回波和地面降水强度将这次降水过程划分为对流降水、过渡性降水和层云降水,并以10 mm·h-1为临界值将对流降水进一步划分为对流前沿降水、对流中心降水、对流后沿降水。结果表明:对流中心降水、过渡性降水、层云降水的质量加权直径均比较稳定,平均值分别为1.8 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.7 mm。对流降水的标准化截距相比层云降水更大。对流中心降水各粒径段雨滴数浓度均较高;层云降水小雨滴浓度较低,且有少量大雨滴;过渡性降水由小雨滴组成。当雨水含量相同时,层云降水的质量加权直径相比对流降水更大。当雨强相同时,层云降水的反射率因子相比对流中心降水更大。更为精细的降水类型划分可有效改善Z-I关系。     

基于TRMM卫星资料对四川盆地降水的三维结构特征分析

利用TRMM卫星多种探测仪器得到的观测资料,分析研究2010年7月15~18日由西南低涡引发的四川盆地区域性暴雨天气过程,重点揭示了该次过程降水的三维结构特征。结果表明:红外和微波亮温数据均能从一定侧面反映低涡云系的降水特征;西南低涡引发的降水属于中尺度系统降水,层云降水对总降水的贡献率超过90%,存在明显的亮带结构;大范围降水区内包含一条主雨带和若干独立的对流性雨团,表现为大范围层云降水围绕对流降水的结构特征,对流性降水云顶最高能发展到17km,局部最大降水率出现在2~5km高度;降水凸起部分为独立的对流降水云团,呈塔状立体结构。      

TRMM测雨雷达对1998年东亚降水季节性特征的研究

利用热带测雨计划卫星上的测雨雷达得到的降水资料,对1998年东亚降水,特别是中国大陆东部、东海和南海的降水,进行了分析研究,并对比了热带降水研究结果。年统计结果表明,东亚地区层状云降水出现概率极高(比面积达83.7％),对流云降水的比面积仅占13.6％,然而两者对总降水量的贡献相当。结果还表明,暖对流云降水出现的比例和对总降水量的贡献很小。在季节尺度,对流云和层状云降水的比与两者的面积比成比例关系。除夏季外,测雨雷达降水量与GPCP降水量可比性好。研究结果还指出:在中纬度陆地和海洋上对流云和层状云的比降水量和比面积呈相反方向作季节性南北移动,这一活动与东亚季风变化一致;该地区降水的季节性变化还表现为降水垂直廓线的变化。除冬季外,南海地区降水垂直结构呈热带特征。CRAD分析表明,对流云降水的地面雨强变化大,尤其在陆地上,而层状云多表现为地面弱降水。     

青藏高原及其下游地区降水厚度季、日变化的气候特征分析

利用10年的TRMM卫星降水雷达观测资料, 首次对青藏高原及其下游平原及海洋地区降水厚度的地区差异进行了对比分析, 并对青藏高原及其周边地区对流和层云降水厚度的水平分布及其日变化和季节变化进行了统计分析, 结果表明: (1) 青藏高原地区对流和层云降水厚度都要比下游平原地区更为浅薄, 东部海洋地区对流降水厚度比平原地区小, 而层云降水厚度与平原地区相当。青藏高原及其下游平原地区对流降水厚度的日变化特征非常明显, 海洋地区对流降水厚度日夜差异则不大。层云降水厚度在各地区的日变化特征都不明显。青藏高原、下游平原及海洋地区对流和层云降水厚度的季节变化都非常明显, 从冬至夏, 对流和层云降水逐渐变得深厚, 而从夏入冬, 对流和层云降水则逐渐变得浅薄。(2) 青藏高原及其周边地区对流和层云平均降水厚度的分布形式和降水量分布具有较好的对应关系, 降水量大的地区其降水厚度一般较为深厚, 降水少的地区则降水厚度比较浅薄。对流和层云降水厚度存在明显差异, 对流降水一般要比层云降水深厚。青藏高原及其周边地区降水厚度水平分布的日夜差距不大, 但季节变化非常明显, 且与气候系统的季节变化紧密相关。     

Diurnal Variation in the Vertical Profile of the Raindrop Size Distribution for Stratiform Rain as Inferred from Micro Rain Radar Observations in Sumatra

The diurnal variation in the vertical structure of the raindrop size distribution(RSD) associated with stratiform rain at Kototabang, West Sumatra(0.20°S, 100.32°E), was investigated using micro rain radar(MRR) observations from January 2012 to August 2016. Along with the MRR data, the RSD from an optical disdrometer and vertical profile of precipitation from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission were used to establish the microphysical characteristics of diurnal rainfall.Rainfall during 0000–0600 LST and 1800–2400 LST had a lower concentration of small drops and a higher concentration of large drops when compared to rainfall during the daytime(0600–1800 LST). The RSD stratified on the basis of rain rate(R) showed a lower total concentration of drops and higher mass-weighted mean diameter in 0000–0600 LST and1800–2400 LST than in the daytime. During the daytime, the RSD is likely governed by a riming process that can be seen from a weak bright band(BB). On the other hand, during 0000–0600 LST and 1800–2400 LST, the BB was stronger and the rainfall was associated with a higher concentration of midsize and large drops, which could be attributed to more active aggregation right above the melting layer with minimal breakup. Diurnal variation in the vertical profile of RSD led to a different radar reflectivity(Z)–R relationship in the rain column, in which Z during the periods 0000–0600 LST and1800–2400 LST was larger than at the other times, for the same R.