On the Frequency Distribution of Raindrop Sizes

Abstract

Knowledge of the distribution of the raindrop sizes during a storm is important in many engineering applications. Since drop size information is usually expressed parametrically, it is important that the proper model to describe the distribution be used. On the basis of observed frequencies, the lognormal and upper limit distributions were tested on raindrop size data taken from different sites in the U.S. and for different rainfall rates. After estimating parameters by the method of maximum likelihood, the Kolmogorov‐Smirnov test indicates that the lognormal distribution provides a better representation than all the other models examined.