Snow and Ice Particle Sizes and Mass Concentrations at Altitudes Up to 9 km (30,000 ft)
Abstract
About 7600 nautical miles (nm) (14,000 km) of select ice particle measurements over the United States have been compiled into a single, computerized database for use in characterizing ice crystal and snowflake (generally termed ice particle) size distributions and mass concentrations at flight altitudes. Data are from 50 research flights by six agencies in eight flight research projects using Particle Measuring Systems' one-dimensional (1-D) and two-dimensional (2-D) particle sizing probes. Primary recorded variables are average particle size distributions in the range 0.1 to 10 mm from each of 1625 microphysically uniform cloud intervals or other convenient distances in wintertime clouds, snowstorms, cirrus, and other high-altitude clouds. The findings are that, generally, the largest particles and the greatest concentrations of total ice particle mass (TIPM) are confined to altitudes below 20,000 ft (6 km). There, particles of 10 mm in maximum dimension and TIPM's up to about 3 g/m(exp 3) may be found. Above 20,000 ft, particles are smaller than 2 mm and TIPM's are less than 0.2 g/m(exp 3) in the cirrus and the upper reaches of deep winter storm clouds that are found at these levels. Exceptions are thunderstorm anvil clouds where 10 mm particles and TIPM's of at least 1 g/m(exp 3) can be found up to at least 30,000 ft (9 km). Anvil clouds and stratiform clouds associated with warm season mesoscale convective systems have provided some of the largest TIPM's, the greatest particle concentrations, and the largest particle sizes at high and mid altitudes, respectively. In contrast to supercooled cloud droplets where the largest liquid water (mass) concentrations are confined to short distances of 3 nm or less in convective clouds, the largest average TIPM's in glaciated clouds have been found in layer clouds over distances up to 30 nm.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA359349
Entities
People
- Richard K. Jeck
Organizations
- Federal Aviation Administration