Raindrop Sizes and Related Parameters for GATE

Abstract

Several sets of drop size measurements were made on ships and aircraft during GATE. The data were taken primarily as support for the radar measurements and have been analyzed to provide relations between radar reflectivity and desired meteorological quantities. Uncertainties in the results because of instrumental difficulties and differences within and between the various data sets are examined and discussed. The overall Z-R relation based on the combined data sets is Z = 180R1.35. Also included are relations of the reflectivity factor to rainwater content and attenuation of 5 cm radiation. Comparison of the drop size distributions with measurements from other places suggests that tropical oceanic showers typically contain an abundance of medium-sized drops and relatively few large ones.