Effects of Numbers, Sizes and Crystal Structures on Measurements of Ice Hydrometeors
Abstract
Simulated measurements of assumed ice hydrometeor environments generate number-size distributions similar to those from in situ measurements even to the point of reproducing several inconsistencies often found in actual data. This report describes the computer fabrication of ice hydrometeors composed of single columns and combinations of columns with random spatial orientation and the simulated measuring of those particles by PMS 1-D instruments. Varying effects on distribution shapes are demonstrated by using different assumptions of particle number and sizes. Efforts were concentrated on exploring the problems of deficient number counts in the first or first few classes of precipitation probe data, non-compatible number concentrations from the cloud and precipitation probes, and the apparent existence of a few large particles that are not consistent with the rest of the distribution. This investigation indicates that the numbers, sizes, crystalline structures, and spatial positioning of hydrometeors may be the cause of these effects. Keywords: Particle size; Ice crystals; Atmospheric precipitation; One-dimensional probes; PMS probes; Number density; Clouds; Statistical distributions; Hydrometerors.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 28, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA224389
Entities
People
- Robert O. Berthel
Organizations
- Air Force Systems Command