Raindrop Size Distributions in Landfalling Tropical Cyclones: Insights from Airborne Imaging Probes and Dual-Pol Radars

This study analyzes microphysics observations conducted during the landfall of Hurricanes Sally (2020) and Ian (2021). Raindrop size distributions (DSD) were derived from measurements collected by the Cloud Imaging Probe (CIP) and Precipitation Imaging Probe (PIP) aboard the P-3 aircraft. These measurements were conducted as part of a joint effort from the Office of Naval Research Tropical Cyclone Rapid Intensification (TCRI) Departmental Research Initiative and NOAA Advancing the Prediction of Hurricanes Experiment (APHEX). During the landfall of Sally on September 14 and Ian on August 29, segments of the P-3 flight track intersected with the coverage of dual-polarization WSR-88D radars. Matching the flight level data and the radar volume, we use advanced polarimetric radar processing to investigate the microphysical characteristics of the landfalling tropical cyclones. We explore the relationships between raindrop size distributions and various environmental conditions, including temperature, convective structure, and smaller-scale wind patterns. The three-dimensional wind field data, obtained from multiple radar sources, facilitates this analysis. We aim to provide valuable insights for parameterization and quantitative precipitation estimation in the context of tropical cyclone rainfall through integrating the radar dual-polarization data and in-situ airborne DSD observation.