Simultaneous observation of finestructure of layer clouds at upper and middle levels by a laser radar and an 8.6-mm radar

• Published in: Journal of the Meteorological Society of Japan Vol. 64; no. 1; pp. 109 - 122
• Main Authors: Takeda, Takao, Horiguchi, Mitsuaki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.1986
• ISSN: 0026-1165

The finestructure of layer clouds at upper and middle levels was observed by a laser radar and a vertically pointing radar of 8.6-mm wavelength. First, the possibility of identifying whether cloud-composing particles are water dropets or ice particles was examined by measuring the depolarization ratio using the laser radar. Second, the growth processes of falling ice particles in middle-level clouds were studied. A case study was made for layer clouds situated near a warm front, and it was revealed that the layer of supercooled water droplets existing at middle levels and ice particles generated in upper level cells were falling through this layer. Ice particles in some streaks grew rapidly in the layer of supercooled water droplets. There was a difference in the growth rate of ice particles in this layer, and the growth rate was dependent upon the amount of supercooled water droplets. The growth processes of ice particles were discussed.