A study on raindrop size distribution variability in before and after landfall precipitations of tropical cyclones observed over southern India

Jayalakshmi Janapati, Balaji Kumar seela, Venkatrami Reddy M., Krishna Reddy K., Pay Liam Lin, Narayana Rao T., Chian Yi Liu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

38 Scopus citations

Abstract

Raindrop size distribution (RSD) characteristics in before landfall (BLF) and after landfall (ALF) of three tropical cyclones (JAL, THANE, and NILAM) induced precipitations are investigated by using a laser-based (PARticleSIze and VELocity - PARSIVEL) disdrometer at two different locations [Kadapa (14.47°N, 78.82°E) and Gadanki (13.5°N, 79.2°E)] in semi-arid region of southern India. In both BLF and ALF precipitations of these three cyclones, convective precipitations have higher mass weighted mean diameter (Dm) and lower normalized intercept parameter (log10Nw) values than stratiform precipitations. The radar reflectivity (Z) and rain rate (R) relations (Z=A*Rb) showed distinct variations in BLF and ALF precipitations of three cyclones. BLF precipitation of JAL cyclone has a higher Dm than ALF precipitation. Whereas, for THANE and NILAM cyclones ALF precipitations have higher Dm than BLF. The Dm values of three cyclones (both in BLF and ALF) are smaller than the Dm values of the other (Atlantic and Pacific) oceanic cyclones. Interaction of different regions (eyewall, inner rainbands, and outer rainbands) of cyclones with the environment and underlying surface led to RSD variations between BLF and ALF precipitations through different microphysical (collision-coalescence, breakup, evaporation, and riming) processes. The immediate significance of the present work is that (i) it contributes to our understanding of cyclone RSD in BLF and ALF precipitations, and (ii) it provides the useful information for quantitative estimation of rainfall from Doppler weather radar observations.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)23-40
Number of pages18
JournalJournal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics
Volume159
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jun 2017

Keywords

  • Mass-weighted mean diameter (D)
  • Rain rate
  • Raindrop size distribution
  • Tropical cyclones

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A study on raindrop size distribution variability in before and after landfall precipitations of tropical cyclones observed over southern India'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this