Cirrus Particle Distribution Study. Part 6
Abstract
Cirriform clouds associated with a frontal system which passed through New Mexico on 4 and 5 April 1978 were sampled by a MC-130E which has been equipped with cloud physics instrumentation by AFGL. The clouds sampled were thin cirrus and cirrostratus layers in advance of the front on 4 April and behind the same front on 5 April. Particle sizes were small; maximum sizes on 4 April were approximately 700 microns. On 5 April, few clouds could be found, but one patch yielded particles as large as 1300 micron. Particle distribution curves are presented for three 5-min periods from the 4 April flight and one 5- min period from the 5 April flight. Additionally, consecutive 30-sec average distributions are presented for selected time periods from each of the flights. In addition to the visible cirrus clouds, particles were also found in clear air between the cirrus clouds. Some of the sub-visible cirrus particles seemed to come from clouds above the aircraft, but other instances of sub-visible cirrus occurred when there were no visible cirrus above the aircraft suggesting that the particles had developed in-situ.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 04, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA096772
Entities
People
- Arnold A. Barnes Jr.
- Ian D. Cohen
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory