Measurements of cloud droplet size distributions in seeded warm cumulus clouds

Summary Aircraft observations were made on cloud droplet size distribution in 19 cases of seeded warm cumulus clouds in three meteorologically different regions. An examination of the data suggested the following: (i) In all the 5 cases at Bombay (maritime), and in 6 out of the 7 cases at Poona (modified maritime) the values of median volume diameter, maximum cloud droplet size and liquid water content showed increase after seeding as compared to what they were before. The increases noticed in the median volume diameter ranged up to 48% at Bombay and 478% at Poona. The liquid water content and the maximum droplet size respectively increased upward of 56% and 25% at Bombay and 60% and 31% at Poona. (ii) In 4 out of the 7 cloud cases at Rihand (continental), the values of the parameters referred to above showed increase. The median volume diameter increased up to 372%. The liquid water content and the maximum droplet size increased upward of 160% and 66% respectively. (iii) In the cloud cases wherein the values of the parameters decreased after seeding, the decreases noticed ranged up to 94%. (iv) More unstable conditions prevailed on the days when the seeded clouds showed visible rain than on the days when they did not.