Observations of the Vertical Variability of Raindrop Size Distributions during OLYMPE

The Olympic Peninsula provided a great arena for investigating changes in the vertical distribution of precipitation as precipitation systems move inland and over complex terrain.  The melting layer exhibited marked enhancement as precipitation moved inland and interacted with the topography surrounding the Quinault River Valley.  Correspondingly the characteristics of the raindrop size distribution were modified from the coastal regions to further inland near the terrain where larger drops were observed.  We will present observations from NPOL, Micro Rain Radars and disdrometers that were utilized to examine the evolution of the raindrop size distribution in relation to the melting layer characteristics of several precipitation events that moved ashore and up the Quinault River Valley during the OLYMPEx Field Campaign.