Extended Abstract (164K)P4.13
A comparison of the microphysical characteristics of clouds from different tropical regions
Jeffrey Stith, NCAR, Boulder, CO; and J. Haggerty, A. Bansemer, A. Heymsfield, D. Baumgardner, J. Jimenez, G. Raga, and C. Grainger
The microphysical characteristics of tropical convective clouds from the TRMM field campaigns in Brazil and Kwajalein and from the recent EPIC campaign in the Eastern Tropical Pacific are compared. In situ hydrometeor data on particle size, type, and concentration taken from the University of North Dakota Citation (TRMM) and the NSF/NCAR C-130 (EPIC) research aircraft are used in this comparison. Data from clouds of similar sizes, temperatures, and updraft strengths are compared. Several similarities are noted. In each geographical region, stronger updrafts are favored locations for higher concentrations of small particles compared to weaker updrafts at similar temperatures or height above cloud base. Mid and upper regions of these clouds contain high concentrations of ice particles, which are likely formed by secondary ice production. In addition to the rime-splintering mechanism for secondary ice production, shattering by the freezing of drizzle-sized droplets appears to be an important mechanism for ice production in these clouds.
Poster Session 4, Cloud Physics Poster Session IV (Parallel with Joint Poster Session JP4)
Thursday, 6 June 2002, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM
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