Tropical rain Drop Size Distribution and Integral rain parameters

This book deals with tropical rain Drop Size Distribution (DSD), rain rate (R) and radar reflectivity factor (Z). An extensive understanding of rain DSD and integral rain parameters finds applications in fields like satellite meteorology, cloud microphysics, soil erosion, micro wave communication and global climate. DSD and derived rain parameters data from 4 tropical stations for 10 years, which were measured using a Joss-Waldvogel Disdrometer and those at different heights, which were collected using a Micro Rain Radar are used. The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and other satellite rain rate (3B42-V6) for the same period has also been used. The major results pertain to the development and testing of a model for the variation of DSD with rain rate in the tropics. The theoretical concepts regarding the altitudinal and temporal evolution of rain DSD could be proved. The evaluation of the vertical profiles of DSD and Z-R relations for tropical region is another result. This study has also brought out the need to have a closer look at the satellite retrieval. The behaviour of the rain rate at tropics and the possible effect of orography on DSD has also been brought out.