Abstract
Measurement characteristics of orographic clouds over northern Greece are obtained through the C-band weather radar being located close to the area of interest. Characteristics are analyzed using the cell tracker TITAN (Thunderstorm Identification, Tracking, Analysis and Nowcasting). The study aims in analyzing certain orographic cloud characteristics, as a tool for investigating possible rain enhancement feasibility potential of these clouds. The radar-based characteristics include cloud vertical extend, reflectivity, volume, area, mass, precipitation rate, speed and liquid water content. The analyses of the weather radar measurements bring out evidences of the occurred orographic clouds over northern Greece. The analyses are performed for a 5 year period, from April 2006 until December 2010, focusing on the April to September period of each year. Moreover, several cases of winter time orographic clouds are also included. Results indicate significant differences in occurred orographic clouds between the cold and the warm season of the year. Orographic clouds appear to be more intense during the warm season of the year and less during the cold.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Bampzelis D, Karacostas TS (2012) Radar derived storm characteristics over central Greece. Advances in meteorology, climatology and atmospheric physics, Springer Atmospheric Sciences, pp 27–33. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-29172-2_5
Dixon M, Wiener G (1993) TITAN: thunderstorm identification, tracking, analysis and nowcasting—a radar-based methodology. J Atmos Ocean Tech 10:785–797
Douglas CKM, Glasspoole J (1947) Meteorological conditions in heavy orographic rainfall. Q J R Meteorol Soc 73:11–38
Grant LO, Kahan AM (1974) Weather modification for augmenting orographic precipitation, weather and climate modification. Willey Publications, New York, pp 282–317
Hess WN (1974) Weather and climate modification. Wiley Publications, New York, 842 pp
Hill FF, Browning KA, Bader MJ (1981) Radar and rain gauge observations of orographic rain over south Wales. Q J R Meteorol Soc 107:643–670
Karacostas TS, Flocas AA, Flocas HA, Kakaliagou O, Rizou C (1992) A study of the synoptic situations over the area of Eastern Mediterranean. In: Proceedings, 1st Greek conference on meteorology climatology and atmospheric physics, Thessaloniki 21–23 May, pp 469–477 (in Greek)
Tympanidis K, Bampzelis D, Karacostas TS, Chatzi E (2012) A comparison of storm characteristic between mountainous and plain areas within Central Macedonia, advances in meteorology, climatology and atmospheric physics, Springer Atmospheric Sciences, pp 333–339. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-29172-2_47
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2017 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
About this paper
Cite this paper
Tympanidis, K., Karacostas, T.S., Bampzelis, D. (2017). Rain Enhancement Feasibility Potential of Orographic Clouds Over Northern Greece. In: Karacostas, T., Bais, A., Nastos, P. (eds) Perspectives on Atmospheric Sciences. Springer Atmospheric Sciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-35095-0_45
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-35095-0_45
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-35094-3
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-35095-0
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)