Precipitation Microphysics of Tropical Cyclones Over the Western North Pacific Based on GPM DPR Observations: A Preliminary Analysis

Using observations from the dual‐frequency precipitation radar (DPR) onboard the Global Precipitation Measurement mission (GPM) satellite, this study analyzes the microphysical structures and processes of tropical cyclone (TC) precipitation over the western North Pacific in terms of different precip...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of geophysical research. Atmospheres 2019-03, Vol.124 (6), p.3124-3142
Main Authors: Huang, Hao, Chen, Fengjiao
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Climate models
Clouds
Coalescence
Coalescing
Cyclones
DSD
Geophysics
Global precipitation
GPM
Hurricanes
Hydrometeors
Microphysics
Parameterization
Precipitation
Profiles
Radar
Rain
Raindrops
Reflectance
Satellites
Stratiform clouds
Tropical climate
tropical cyclone
Tropical cyclones
Vertical profiles
Water
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Summary:Using observations from the dual‐frequency precipitation radar (DPR) onboard the Global Precipitation Measurement mission (GPM) satellite, this study analyzes the microphysical structures and processes of tropical cyclone (TC) precipitation over the western North Pacific in terms of different precipitation efficiency indices (PEIs). The statistical results show that the mean mass‐weighted mean diameter of raindrops (Dm) at 2 km is 1.67 mm (1.37 mm) for convective (stratiform) precipitating clouds. Precipitating clouds with high PEI have higher liquid water path than nonliquid water path for both convective and stratiform clouds. The mean Dm of convective and stratiform precipitation increases as the PEI increases. The vertical profiles of Dm and reflectivity (Ze) for convective and stratiform precipitating clouds in TCs differ substantially as the PEI changes. Below the melting level, there is a clear decrease (increase) in Dm and Ze toward the surface for clouds with low (high) PEI. In general, clouds within TCs producing the most efficient precipitation are characterized by strong coalescence, not only for small droplets but also for relatively large raindrops; in contrast, the breakup of hydrometeors is the dominant process in convective and stratiform precipitating clouds with low PEI. These results will help validate and improve the hydrometeor parameterization schemes in cloud and climate models. Key Points The tropical cyclone clouds producing the most efficient precipitation are characterized by strong coalescence below the melting layer The breakup is the dominant process below the melting layer in convective and stratiform precipitation with low PEI
ISSN:2169-897X
2169-8996
DOI:10.1029/2018JD029454