Observing ice particle growth along fall streaks in mixed-phase clouds using spectral polarimetric radar data
The growth of ice crystals in presence of supercooled liquid droplets represents the most important process for precipitation formation in the mid-latitudes. However, such mixed-phase interaction processes remain relatively unknown, as capturing the complexity in cloud dynamics and microphysical...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2018-06-01
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| Series: | Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| Online Access: | https://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/18/7843/2018/acp-18-7843-2018.pdf |
| Summary: | The growth of ice crystals in presence of supercooled liquid droplets
represents the most important process for precipitation formation in the
mid-latitudes. However, such mixed-phase interaction processes remain relatively unknown, as capturing the complexity in cloud dynamics and microphysical
variabilities turns to be a real observational challenge. Ground-based radar
systems equipped with fully polarimetric and Doppler capabilities in high
temporal and spatial resolutions such as the S-band transportable atmospheric
radar (TARA) are best suited to observe mixed-phase growth processes. In this
paper, measurements are taken with the TARA radar during the ACCEPT campaign
(analysis of the composition of clouds with extended polarization
techniques). Besides the common radar observables, the 3-D wind field is also
retrieved due to TARA unique three beam configuration. The novelty of this
paper is to combine all these observations with a particle evolution
detection algorithm based on a new fall streak retrieval technique in order
to study ice particle growth within complex precipitating mixed-phased cloud
systems. In the presented cases, three different growth processes of ice
crystals, plate-like crystals, and needles are detected and related to the
presence of supercooled liquid water. Moreover, TARA observed signatures are
assessed with co-located measurements obtained from a cloud radar and
radiosondes. This paper shows that it is possible to observe ice particle
growth processes within complex systems taking advantage of adequate
technology and state of the art retrieval algorithms. A significant
improvement is made towards a conclusive interpretation of ice particle
growth processes and their contribution to rain production using fall streak
rearranged radar data. |
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| ISSN: | 1680-7316 1680-7324 |