An analytical representation of raindrop size distribution in a mixed convective and stratiform precipitating system as revealed by field observations

Abstract

This study investigated a rainfall event under a typhoon influence using a 2D video disdrometer and weather radar observations to characterize raindrop size distribution (DSD) in a mixed convective and stratiform precipitating system. During the time period when both convective and stratiform rainfalls existed, the DSDs generally indicated a monotonically decreasing shape with increasing particle size, with a relatively gradual decrease at intermediate particle size observed at certain times; this feature is attributed to the combined effect of convective and stratiform rainfalls. During the transitional period between convective and stratiform rainfalls, the DSDs exhibited a bimodal shape. The DSDs were well approximated by a newly proposed gamma raindrop distribution combined with exponential (GRACE) distribution function, which was defined as the sum of the exponential distribution and the gamma distribution. A comparison of the volume ratio of the exponential and gamma components of the GRACE distribution revealed that the exponential component of the DSD was larger than the gamma component in the bimodal DSD. These results suggest that the DSD became bimodal during the period when stratiform rainfall predominated because of the weakening of convective rainfall. The GRACE distribution is useful for understanding cloud-microphysical processes in mixed stratiform and convective precipitation conditions.