Modification of raindrop size distribution due to seeder–feeder interactions between stratiform precipitation and shallow convection observed by X‐band polarimetric radar and optical disdrometer

Abstract

Abstract The seeder–feeder interactions (SFIs), where raindrops from upper clouds grow by accreting cloud droplets in the lower clouds, have been extensively studied. However, there are few studies on the modification of raindrop size distribution (DSD) through this process. In the present study, rainfall from the landfalling rainbands of a typhoon was observed using an optical disdrometer and an X‐band polarimetric radar. Rainfall was classified into the following three types based on the DSD characteristics at the surface and the existence of a ρHV minimum in the upper layer: convective rainfall accompanied by a melting layer (type SF), convective rainfall without a melting layer (type C), and stratiform rainfall with a melting layer (type S). Type SF rainfall was regarded as having undergone SFIs between stratiform precipitation and shallow convection. The DSD for SF type rainfall was characterized by more small‐ to medium‐sized raindrops and a larger normalized intercept parameter than rainfall types C and S. An analysis using vertical profiles of radar‐derived DSD parameters for type SF rainfall suggested that the median‐volume diameter of raindrops increased by accreting cloud droplets in the lower clouds, and that small‐ to medium‐sized raindrops were produced by a warm rain process and breakup of raindrops.

Keywords

• disdrometer
• polarimetric radar
• raindrop size distribution
• seeder–feeder