Characteristics of the Evolution of Precipitation Particles during a Stratiform Precipitation Event in Liupan Mountains

Abstract

This study utilizes comprehensive observational data from a stratiform mixed-cloud precipitation event in Liupan Mountains, combined with ground-based millimeter-wave cloud radar (CR), micro rain radar (MRR), and microwave radiometer (MR) data, to study the evolution characteristics and conversion efficiency of precipitation particles in the ice–water mixed layer, melting layer, and below these layers during the formation and dissipation of precipitation. The results show the following: (1) When precipitation particles occupy more than 20% of cloud layers detected by cloud radar, the ice–water mixed cloud layer descends and evolves into a precipitating cloud. (2) During surface precipitation periods, the proportion of raindrops forming precipitation was equivalent to that of small-scale precipitation particles in the cloud layers. The proportion of precipitation particles in the cloud layers with temperatures below 0 °C averaged 25%. Ice-phase particles within the bright band (BB) melted, coalesced, and grew into larger precipitation particles, increasing their proportion to 55%. (3) After surface precipitation ended, the water content and precipitation rate of the cloud layer were 60% and 52% of those during the precipitation process, respectively. The proportion of small-scale precipitation particles in the cloud layers was approximately half of that during the precipitation period. A large number of evaporated small-scale precipitation particles floated in the air layer below the clouds, occupying less than 6.0% of the cloud layers.