Analysis of the Microphysical Properties of a Stratiform Rain Event Using an L-Band Profiler Radar

This paper investigates spatial and temporal distributions of the microphysical properties of precipitating stratiform clouds based on Doppler spectra of rain particles observed by an L-band profiler radar. The retrieval of raindrop size distributions (RSDs) is accomplished through eliminating vertical air motion and isolating the terminal fall velocity of raindrops in the observed Doppler velocity spectrum. The microphysical properties of raindrops in a broad stratiform region with weak convective cells are studied using data collected from a 1320-MHz wind profiler radar in Huayin, Shaanxi Province on 14 May 2009. RSDs and gamma function parameters are retrieved at altitudes between 700 and 3000 m above the surface, below a melting layer. It is found that the altitude of the maximum number of raindrops was closely related to the surface rain rate. The maximum number of large drops was observed at lower altitudes earlier in the precipitation event but at higher altitudes in later periods, suggesting decreases in the numbers of large and medium size raindrops. These decreases may have been caused by the breakup of larger drops and evaporation of smaller drops as they fell. The number of medium size drops decreased with increasing altitude. The relationship between reflectivity and liquid water content during this precipitation event was Z = 1.69×10⁴ M ^1.5, and the relationship between reflectivity and rain intensity was Z = 256I ^1.4.