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Vertical structure of precipitating shallow echoes observed from TRMM during Indian summer monsoon

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Abstract

The present study explores the properties of precipitating shallow echoes (PSEs) over the tropical areas (30°S–30°N) during Indian summer monsoon season using attenuated corrected radar reflectivity factor (Ze) measured by the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite. Radar echoes observed in study are less than the freezing height, so they belong to warm precipitation. Radar echoes with at least 0.75 km wide are considered for finding the shallow echoes climatology. Western Ghats and adjoining ocean (Arabian sea) have the highest PSEs followed by Myanmar and Burma coast, whereas the overall west coast of Latin America consists of the lowest PSEs. Tropical oceanic areas contain fewer PSEs compared to coastal areas. Average vertical profiles show nearly similar Ze characteristics which peaks between 1.5 and 2 km altitude with model value 32–34 dBZ. Slope of Ze is higher for intense PSEs as radar reflectivity decreases more rapidly in intense PSEs.

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  1. CAOS, IISc, Room no. 116, Bengaluru, 560012, India

    Shailendra Kumar

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Correspondence to Shailendra Kumar.

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Kumar, S. Vertical structure of precipitating shallow echoes observed from TRMM during Indian summer monsoon. Theor Appl Climatol 133, 1051–1059 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-017-2238-y

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