A Vertical characteristics of precipitating cloud systems during different phases of life cycle of cloud systems using satellite-based radar over tropical oceanic areas
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Abstract
An index-based approach is applied to investigate the climatology of precipitating cloud systems (PCSs) during different phases of evolution over twelve tropical oceanic areas using Precipitation Radar (PR) onboard at the satellite. In the present study, a Precipitating cloud system (PCS) is defined as the connecting pixels having radar reflectivity (Ze) ≥ 17 dBZ using composite Ze field. The three-dimensional structure of PCS is observed using all the PR beams contributing to horizontal PCS pixels. An average vertical profile is drawn and then converted it into the liquid water content using the relation M=3.44 x Z(4/7) x10(-6) (where M is in gm-3 and Z is in mm6 m-3). A dimensionless ratio, namely, the ratio for maturity levels (RMLs) is defined by dividing the normalized cloud liquid water at 4 km to 2 km for each PCSs. These RMLs values are used to classify the PCSs into different phases of development. Further the PCSs are also divided with (RML<0.75) and without bright band (BB, RML≥ 0.75), which indicates the latter phase of cloud evolution. The results reveal that initial stage PCSs have higher Ze at higher vertical level, and once the bright band is observed, Ze decreases rapidly above the BB. Regional differences have similar trends in Ze profiles during different RMLs. Similar average vertical profiles over different tropical areas lead to that understanding the microphysics of PCSs in one area could use in other areas too. The convective precipitation area dominates during the initial stage and decreases as the PCSs mature. This is the first time the TRMM data is used to investigate the evolution of PCSs using the indexing approach.
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Keywords
Bright band, Convective precipitation, Life-cycle of MCS, Stratiform precipitation TRMM PR, Vertical profile of reflectivity
References
Awaka, J., Iguchi, T. & Okamoto K. (2009). TRMM PR standard algorithm 2A23 and its performance on bright band detection. Journal of Meteorological Society of Japan, 87A, 31–52.
Bhat, G. S. & Kumar, S. (2015). Vertical structure of cumulonimbus towers and intense convective clouds over the South Asian region during the summer monsoon season. Journal of Geophysics Research Atmosphere, 120, doi:10.1002/2014JD022552.
Beard, K. V. & Pruppacher, H. R. (1969). A determination of the terminal velocity and drag of small water drops by means of a wind tunnel. Journal of Atmospheric Science, 26, 1066 – 1072.
Byers, H. R. & Braham, R. R. (1949). The Thunderstorm: Report of the Thunderstorm Project, 287. U.S. Government Printing Office.
Chen, S. & Houze, R. A. (1997). Diurnal variation and life-cycle of deep convective systems over the tropical Pacific warm pool. Quarterly Journal of Royal. Meteorological Society, 123, 357–388.
Cetrone, J. & Houze, R. A. (2009). Anvil clouds of tropical mesoscale convective systems in monsoon regions. Quarterly Journal of Royal Meteorological Society, 135, 305-317.
Del Genio, A. D., Kovari, W., Yao, M. S. & Jonas, J. (2005). Cumulus microphysics and climate sensitivity. Journal of Climate, 18, 2376–2387.
Fabry, F. & Zawadzki. I. (1995). Long-term Radar Observations of the Melting Layer of Precipitation and Their Interpretation. Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 52, 838–851.
Futyan, J. M. & Del Genio, A. D. (2007). Deep convective system evolution over Africa and the tropical Atlantic. Journal of Climate, 20, 5041–5060.
Greene, D. R. & Clark R. A. (1972). Vertically integrated liquid water-A new analysis tool. Monthly Weather Review, 100(7), 548-552.
Graham, N. & Barnett, T. (1987). Sea surface temperature, surface wind divergence, and convection over tropical oceans. Science, 238, 657–659.
Heymsfield, G. M., Tian, L., Heymsfield, A. J., Li, L. & Guimond, S. (2010). Characteristics of deep tropical and subtropical convection from nadir-viewing high-altitude airborne Doppler radar. Journal of Atmospheric Science, 67, 285–308.
Houze, R.A. (1982). Cloud clusters and large-scale vertical motions in the tropics. Journal of Meteorological Society of Japan, 60.
Houze, R. A. (1993). Cloud Dynamics. Academic Press, San Diego, 573 pp.
Houze, R. A. (1989). Observed structure of mesoscale convective systems and implications for large- scale heating. Quarterly Journal of Royal Meteorological Society, 115, 425-461.
Houze, R. A. & Betts, A. K. (1981). Convection in GATE. Review of Geophysics Space Physics, 19, 541-576.
Houze, R. A. & Cheng, C. P. (1977). Radar characteristics of tropical convection observed during GATE: Mean properties and trends over the summer season. Monthly Weather Review. 105, 964-980.
Houze, R. A., Wilton, D. C. & Smull, F. B. (2007). Monsoon convection in the Himalayan region as seen by the TRMM precipitation radar. Quarterly Journal of Royal Meteorological Society, 133, 1389–1411.
Imaoka, K. & Nakamura, K. (2012). Statistical analysis of the life cycle of isolated tropical cold cloud systems using MTSAT-1R and TRMM data. Monthly Weather Review, 140(11), 3552-3572.
Kalnay, E., Kanamitsu, M., Kistler, R., Collins, W., Deaven, D., Gandin, L., Iredell, M., Saha, S., White, G., Woollen, J. & Zhu, Y. (1996). The NCEP/NCAR 40-year reanalysis project. Bulletin of American Meteorological Society, 77(3), 437-471.
Kumar, S. (2016). Three dimensional characteristics of precipitating cloud systems observed during Indian Summer monsoon. Advance in Space Research, 58(6), 1017-1032.
Kumar, S. (2017a). A 10-year Climatology of Vertical Properties of Most Active Convective Clouds over the Indian Regions Using TRMM PR. Theoretical and Applied Climatology, 127 (1–2), 429–440.
Kumar, S. (2017b). Vertical Characteristics of Reflectivity in Intense Convective Clouds Using TRMM PR Data. Environment and Natural Resources Research, 7 (2), 58.
Kumar, S. (2018). Vertical Structure of Precipitating Shallow Echoes Observed from TRMM during Indian Summer Monsoon. Theoretical and Applied Climatology, 133 (3–4), 1051–1059.
Kumar, S. & Bhat, G. S. (2015). Vertical Structure of Radar Reflectivity in Deep Intense Convective Clouds over the Tropics. EGUGA 2302.
Kumar, S. & Bhat G. S. (2016). Vertical profiles of radar reflectivity factor in intense convective clouds in the tropics. Journal of Applied Meteorological Climatology, 55(5), 1277-1286.doi:10.1175/JAMC-D- 15-0110.1.
Kumar, S. & Bhat, G. S. (2017). Vertical Structure of Orographic Precipitating Clouds Observed over South Asia during Summer Monsoon Season. Journal of Earth System Science, 126 (8), 114.
Kumar, S. & Bhat, G. S. (2019). Frequency of a State of Cloud Systems over Tropical Warm Ocean. Environmental Research Communications, 1 (6), 061003.
Kumar, S., Silva, Y., Moya-Álvarez, A. S. & Martínez-Castro, D. (2019a). Seasonal and Regional Differences in Extreme Rainfall Events and Their Contribution to the World’s Precipitation: GPM Observations. Advances in Meteorology, doi:10.1155/ 2019/4631609.
Kumar, S., Silva, Y., Moya-Álvarez, A. S. & Martínez-Castro, D. (2019b). Effect of the Surface Wind Flow and Topography on Precipitating Cloud Systems over the Andes and Associated Amazon Basin: GPM Observations. Atmospheric Research, 225 (193–208). doi:10.1016/ jAtmosres.2019.03.027.
Kumar, S., Castillo-Velarde, C. D., Flores Rojas, J. L., Moya-Alvarez, A. S., Martinez Castro, D., Srivastava, S. & Silva, Y. (2020a). Precipitation structure during various phases the life cycle of precipitating cloud systems using geostationary satellite and space-based precipitation radar over Peru. GIScience & Remote Sensing, 57(8), 1057-1082.
Shailendra, K., Moya-Álvarez, A. S., Castillo-Velarde, C.D., Martinez-Castro, D. & Silva, Y., (2020b). Effect of low-level low and Andes mountain on the tropical and mid-latitude precipitating cloud systems: GPM observations. Theoretical and Applied Climatology, 141 (1), 157–172.
Kumar, S., Castillo-Velarde, C. D., Valdivia Prado, J. M., Flores Rojas, J. L., Callañaupa Gutierrez, S. M., Moya Alvarez, A. S., Martine-Castro, D. & Silva, Y. (2020c). Rainfall Characteristics in the Mantaro-Basin over Tropical Andes from a Vertically Pointed Profiler Rain Radar and In-Situ Field Campaign. Atmosphere, 11 (3), 248.
Kumar, S. & Silva, Y. (2019). Vertical Characteristics of Radar Reflectivity and DSD Parameters in Intense Convective Clouds over South East South Asia during the Indian Summer Monsoon: GPM Observations. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 40(24), 9604-9628.
Kumar, S. & Silva, Y. (2020). Distribution of Hydrometeors in Monsoonal Clouds over South American Continent during Austral Summer Monsoon: GPM Observations GPM Observations. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 41 (10), 3677–3707.
Kummerow, C., Barnes, W., Kozu, T., Shiue, J. & Simpson, J. (1998). The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Sensor Package. Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 15, 809–817.
Kondo, Y., Higuchi, A. & Nakamura, K. (2006). Small-scale cloud activity over the Maritime Continent and the Western Pacific as revealed by satellite data. Monthly Weather Review, 134, 1581–1599.
Li, W. & Schumacher, C. (2011). Thick anvils as viewed by the TRMM precipitation radar. Journal of Climate, 24, 1718–1735.
Liu, G., & Fu, Y. (2001). The characteristics of tropical precipitation profiles as inferred from satellite radar measurements. Journal of Meteorological Society Japan, 79, 131–143.
Leary, C. A. & Houze, R. A. (1979). The structure and evolution of convection in a tropical cloud cluster. Journal of Atmospheric Science, 36, 437-457.
Machado, L. A. T., Rossow, W. B., Guedes, R. L. & Walker, A. W. (1998). Life cycle variations of mesoscale convective systems over the Americas. Monthly Weather Review, 126, 1630–1654.
Mathon, V. & Laurent, H. (2001). Life cycle of Sahelian mesoscale convective cloud systems. Quarterly Journal of Royal Meteorological Society, 127, 377–406.
Roca, R., Fiolleau, T. & Bouniol, D. (2017). A Simple model of the life cycle of mesoscale convective systems cloud shield in the tropics. Journal of Climate, 30 (11), 4283–4298.
Roca. R., Aublane, J., Chambon, P., Fiolleau, T. & Viltard, N. (2014). Robust Observational Quantification of the Contribution of Mesoscale Convective Systems to Rainfall in the Tropics. Journal of Climate, 27, 4952-4958. https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-13-00628.1
Schumacher, C. & Houze, R. A. (2000). Comparison of radar data from the TRMM satellite and Kwajalein oceanic validation site. Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, 39(12), 2151-2164.
Sherwood, S. C., Minnis, P. & McGill, M. (2004). Deep convective cloud-top heights and their thermodynamic control during crystal-face. Journal of Geophysical, Research, 109, doi:10.1029/2004JD004811.
Waliser, D. E. & Graham, N. E. (1993). Convective cloud systems and warm-pool sea surface temperatures: coupled interactions and self-regulation. Journal of Geophysical Research Atmosphere, 98, 12881–93.
Williams, E. R., Weber, M. E. & Orville, R. E. (1989). The relationship between lighting type and convective state of thunderstorms. Journal of Geophysical Research Atmosphere, 94,13213–13220.
Yuter, S. E. & Houze, R. A. (1995). Three-dimensional kinematic and microphysical evolution of Florida cumulonimbus: Part II. Frequency distribution of vertical velocity, reflectivity, and the differential reflectivity. Monthly Weather Review, 123, 1941–1963.
Bhat, G. S. & Kumar, S. (2015). Vertical structure of cumulonimbus towers and intense convective clouds over the South Asian region during the summer monsoon season. Journal of Geophysics Research Atmosphere, 120, doi:10.1002/2014JD022552.
Beard, K. V. & Pruppacher, H. R. (1969). A determination of the terminal velocity and drag of small water drops by means of a wind tunnel. Journal of Atmospheric Science, 26, 1066 – 1072.
Byers, H. R. & Braham, R. R. (1949). The Thunderstorm: Report of the Thunderstorm Project, 287. U.S. Government Printing Office.
Chen, S. & Houze, R. A. (1997). Diurnal variation and life-cycle of deep convective systems over the tropical Pacific warm pool. Quarterly Journal of Royal. Meteorological Society, 123, 357–388.
Cetrone, J. & Houze, R. A. (2009). Anvil clouds of tropical mesoscale convective systems in monsoon regions. Quarterly Journal of Royal Meteorological Society, 135, 305-317.
Del Genio, A. D., Kovari, W., Yao, M. S. & Jonas, J. (2005). Cumulus microphysics and climate sensitivity. Journal of Climate, 18, 2376–2387.
Fabry, F. & Zawadzki. I. (1995). Long-term Radar Observations of the Melting Layer of Precipitation and Their Interpretation. Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 52, 838–851.
Futyan, J. M. & Del Genio, A. D. (2007). Deep convective system evolution over Africa and the tropical Atlantic. Journal of Climate, 20, 5041–5060.
Greene, D. R. & Clark R. A. (1972). Vertically integrated liquid water-A new analysis tool. Monthly Weather Review, 100(7), 548-552.
Graham, N. & Barnett, T. (1987). Sea surface temperature, surface wind divergence, and convection over tropical oceans. Science, 238, 657–659.
Heymsfield, G. M., Tian, L., Heymsfield, A. J., Li, L. & Guimond, S. (2010). Characteristics of deep tropical and subtropical convection from nadir-viewing high-altitude airborne Doppler radar. Journal of Atmospheric Science, 67, 285–308.
Houze, R.A. (1982). Cloud clusters and large-scale vertical motions in the tropics. Journal of Meteorological Society of Japan, 60.
Houze, R. A. (1993). Cloud Dynamics. Academic Press, San Diego, 573 pp.
Houze, R. A. (1989). Observed structure of mesoscale convective systems and implications for large- scale heating. Quarterly Journal of Royal Meteorological Society, 115, 425-461.
Houze, R. A. & Betts, A. K. (1981). Convection in GATE. Review of Geophysics Space Physics, 19, 541-576.
Houze, R. A. & Cheng, C. P. (1977). Radar characteristics of tropical convection observed during GATE: Mean properties and trends over the summer season. Monthly Weather Review. 105, 964-980.
Houze, R. A., Wilton, D. C. & Smull, F. B. (2007). Monsoon convection in the Himalayan region as seen by the TRMM precipitation radar. Quarterly Journal of Royal Meteorological Society, 133, 1389–1411.
Imaoka, K. & Nakamura, K. (2012). Statistical analysis of the life cycle of isolated tropical cold cloud systems using MTSAT-1R and TRMM data. Monthly Weather Review, 140(11), 3552-3572.
Kalnay, E., Kanamitsu, M., Kistler, R., Collins, W., Deaven, D., Gandin, L., Iredell, M., Saha, S., White, G., Woollen, J. & Zhu, Y. (1996). The NCEP/NCAR 40-year reanalysis project. Bulletin of American Meteorological Society, 77(3), 437-471.
Kumar, S. (2016). Three dimensional characteristics of precipitating cloud systems observed during Indian Summer monsoon. Advance in Space Research, 58(6), 1017-1032.
Kumar, S. (2017a). A 10-year Climatology of Vertical Properties of Most Active Convective Clouds over the Indian Regions Using TRMM PR. Theoretical and Applied Climatology, 127 (1–2), 429–440.
Kumar, S. (2017b). Vertical Characteristics of Reflectivity in Intense Convective Clouds Using TRMM PR Data. Environment and Natural Resources Research, 7 (2), 58.
Kumar, S. (2018). Vertical Structure of Precipitating Shallow Echoes Observed from TRMM during Indian Summer Monsoon. Theoretical and Applied Climatology, 133 (3–4), 1051–1059.
Kumar, S. & Bhat, G. S. (2015). Vertical Structure of Radar Reflectivity in Deep Intense Convective Clouds over the Tropics. EGUGA 2302.
Kumar, S. & Bhat G. S. (2016). Vertical profiles of radar reflectivity factor in intense convective clouds in the tropics. Journal of Applied Meteorological Climatology, 55(5), 1277-1286.doi:10.1175/JAMC-D- 15-0110.1.
Kumar, S. & Bhat, G. S. (2017). Vertical Structure of Orographic Precipitating Clouds Observed over South Asia during Summer Monsoon Season. Journal of Earth System Science, 126 (8), 114.
Kumar, S. & Bhat, G. S. (2019). Frequency of a State of Cloud Systems over Tropical Warm Ocean. Environmental Research Communications, 1 (6), 061003.
Kumar, S., Silva, Y., Moya-Álvarez, A. S. & Martínez-Castro, D. (2019a). Seasonal and Regional Differences in Extreme Rainfall Events and Their Contribution to the World’s Precipitation: GPM Observations. Advances in Meteorology, doi:10.1155/ 2019/4631609.
Kumar, S., Silva, Y., Moya-Álvarez, A. S. & Martínez-Castro, D. (2019b). Effect of the Surface Wind Flow and Topography on Precipitating Cloud Systems over the Andes and Associated Amazon Basin: GPM Observations. Atmospheric Research, 225 (193–208). doi:10.1016/ jAtmosres.2019.03.027.
Kumar, S., Castillo-Velarde, C. D., Flores Rojas, J. L., Moya-Alvarez, A. S., Martinez Castro, D., Srivastava, S. & Silva, Y. (2020a). Precipitation structure during various phases the life cycle of precipitating cloud systems using geostationary satellite and space-based precipitation radar over Peru. GIScience & Remote Sensing, 57(8), 1057-1082.
Shailendra, K., Moya-Álvarez, A. S., Castillo-Velarde, C.D., Martinez-Castro, D. & Silva, Y., (2020b). Effect of low-level low and Andes mountain on the tropical and mid-latitude precipitating cloud systems: GPM observations. Theoretical and Applied Climatology, 141 (1), 157–172.
Kumar, S., Castillo-Velarde, C. D., Valdivia Prado, J. M., Flores Rojas, J. L., Callañaupa Gutierrez, S. M., Moya Alvarez, A. S., Martine-Castro, D. & Silva, Y. (2020c). Rainfall Characteristics in the Mantaro-Basin over Tropical Andes from a Vertically Pointed Profiler Rain Radar and In-Situ Field Campaign. Atmosphere, 11 (3), 248.
Kumar, S. & Silva, Y. (2019). Vertical Characteristics of Radar Reflectivity and DSD Parameters in Intense Convective Clouds over South East South Asia during the Indian Summer Monsoon: GPM Observations. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 40(24), 9604-9628.
Kumar, S. & Silva, Y. (2020). Distribution of Hydrometeors in Monsoonal Clouds over South American Continent during Austral Summer Monsoon: GPM Observations GPM Observations. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 41 (10), 3677–3707.
Kummerow, C., Barnes, W., Kozu, T., Shiue, J. & Simpson, J. (1998). The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Sensor Package. Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 15, 809–817.
Kondo, Y., Higuchi, A. & Nakamura, K. (2006). Small-scale cloud activity over the Maritime Continent and the Western Pacific as revealed by satellite data. Monthly Weather Review, 134, 1581–1599.
Li, W. & Schumacher, C. (2011). Thick anvils as viewed by the TRMM precipitation radar. Journal of Climate, 24, 1718–1735.
Liu, G., & Fu, Y. (2001). The characteristics of tropical precipitation profiles as inferred from satellite radar measurements. Journal of Meteorological Society Japan, 79, 131–143.
Leary, C. A. & Houze, R. A. (1979). The structure and evolution of convection in a tropical cloud cluster. Journal of Atmospheric Science, 36, 437-457.
Machado, L. A. T., Rossow, W. B., Guedes, R. L. & Walker, A. W. (1998). Life cycle variations of mesoscale convective systems over the Americas. Monthly Weather Review, 126, 1630–1654.
Mathon, V. & Laurent, H. (2001). Life cycle of Sahelian mesoscale convective cloud systems. Quarterly Journal of Royal Meteorological Society, 127, 377–406.
Roca, R., Fiolleau, T. & Bouniol, D. (2017). A Simple model of the life cycle of mesoscale convective systems cloud shield in the tropics. Journal of Climate, 30 (11), 4283–4298.
Roca. R., Aublane, J., Chambon, P., Fiolleau, T. & Viltard, N. (2014). Robust Observational Quantification of the Contribution of Mesoscale Convective Systems to Rainfall in the Tropics. Journal of Climate, 27, 4952-4958. https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-13-00628.1
Schumacher, C. & Houze, R. A. (2000). Comparison of radar data from the TRMM satellite and Kwajalein oceanic validation site. Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, 39(12), 2151-2164.
Sherwood, S. C., Minnis, P. & McGill, M. (2004). Deep convective cloud-top heights and their thermodynamic control during crystal-face. Journal of Geophysical, Research, 109, doi:10.1029/2004JD004811.
Waliser, D. E. & Graham, N. E. (1993). Convective cloud systems and warm-pool sea surface temperatures: coupled interactions and self-regulation. Journal of Geophysical Research Atmosphere, 98, 12881–93.
Williams, E. R., Weber, M. E. & Orville, R. E. (1989). The relationship between lighting type and convective state of thunderstorms. Journal of Geophysical Research Atmosphere, 94,13213–13220.
Yuter, S. E. & Houze, R. A. (1995). Three-dimensional kinematic and microphysical evolution of Florida cumulonimbus: Part II. Frequency distribution of vertical velocity, reflectivity, and the differential reflectivity. Monthly Weather Review, 123, 1941–1963.
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A Vertical characteristics of precipitating cloud systems during different phases of life cycle of cloud systems using satellite-based radar over tropical oceanic areas. (2022). Journal of Applied and Natural Science, 14(4), 1272-1285. https://doi.org/10.31018/jans.v14i4.3691
