Microphysical observations in summer MONEX convective and stratiform clouds

Abstract

Two-dimensional images of ice particles observed by a NOAA WP-3D research aircraft during the Summer Monsoon Experiment (SMONEX) are examined. These images were obtained in the temperature interval from -25° to 0°C. The particle structures and size distributions found in convective and stratiform clouds are compared. Branched crystals were located predominantly in stratiform clouds while column-shaped crystals were located commonly in both stratiform and convective clouds. Ice particle number concentrations measured with the cloud probe were often very high in convective clouds, with a maximum value of approximately 800 L-1. The average convective-cloud concentration was approximately 230 L-1, while the average concentration in the stratiform clouds was approximately 20 L-1. The high particle concentrations in the convective updrafts suggest that the updrafts may provide most of the ice particles found in the stratiform cloud. -from Author