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Vertical structures of winter-season stratiform rainfall over central Himalaya

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Abstract

Characteristics of the winter-season vertical structures of stratiform rainfall over central Himalaya are investigated using a vertically pointing Micro Rain Radar (MRR) at GBPNIHE, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora (29.59\(^\circ\) N, 79.65\(^\circ\) E), India. Rainfall micro-structures, such as reflectivity (Z), rain rate (R), liquid water content (LWC) and average fall speed of the drops (\(v_m\)) upto 6000 m above ground are monitored during 01 November, 2020 to 28 February, 2021. The MRR observations are used to (1) identify bright band signatures, and develop linear parameterizations between maximum radar reflectivity and radar reflectivities of snow and rain layers, (2) quantify changes in the vertical profiles of Z, R, LWC and \(v_m\), (3) evaluate near surface rainfall drop size distribution and its linkages to drop diameter, and (4) investigate vertical profiles of Z–R relationships using Marshall–Palmer distribution, during stratiform rain. We find that 25.4% of all the observed rainfall events is associated with bright band signatures, where bright bands are observed at an average 2536.5 (± 422.1) m height above the ground associated with mean maximum reflectivity of 20.8 (± 2.37) dBZ. Almost linear relationships amongst maximum reflectivity and reflectivities of snow and rain layers during bright band signatures are observed. The near-surface raindrop size distributions of this study indicate mean drop concentrations during January and February months are 3.78 (± 0.09) m\(^3\) mm\(^{-1}\), whereas the same during December is 3.45 (± 0.17) m\(^3\) mm\(^{-1}\). Highest drop diameter of 4.94 mm is obtained during rain events of January and February, 2021, due to higher coalescence of drops. Coefficients a and b of the power–law relationships between Z–R varied between 246.0 and 367.5 and 1.61 and 2.45, respectively, within the reported range of stratiform rain in India.

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Data availability

The high-frequency MRR data are available with S. Mukherjee and further data sharing needs approval from the competent authority of GBPNIHE, Almora, India

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Acknowledgements

RSR and SM acknowledge a research grant of SERB, DST, Govt. of India (ECR/2019/000629) for supporting this study. Director, GBPNIHE, Almora, India, is acknowledged for providing the computational facilities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora, Uttarakhand, 263 643, India

    Rajendra Singh Rawat, Sourab Singh, Sandipan Mukherjee & Kireet Kumar

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  1. Rajendra Singh Rawat
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  2. Sourab Singh
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Correspondence to Sandipan Mukherjee.

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Rawat, R.S., Singh, S., Mukherjee, S. et al. Vertical structures of winter-season stratiform rainfall over central Himalaya. Meteorol Atmos Phys 134, 43 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00703-022-00881-x

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