Radar reflectivity-ice water content relationships for use above the melting level in hurricanes

Abstract

Regression equations linking radar reflectivity (Ze) and ice water content (IWC) were calculated from airborne radar and particle image data that were collected above the melting level in two hurricanes. The Ze-IWC equation from the stratiform areas of Hurricane Norbert (1984) is similar to the composite equation for thunderstorm anvils derived by Heymsfield and Palmer. The Ze-IWC equation from the convective regions of Hurricane Irene (1981) has essentially the same exponent, but a significantly greater coefficient than that from Norbert. The higher density of the graupel and rounded ice in the Irene data accounts for the difference in the coefficients. The hurricane Ze-IWC relations have smaller exponents than most of those from midlatitude clouds, which indicates that small ice particles may be more prevalent in these two hurricanes than in midlatitude clouds. -Author