Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-1-2005
Abstract
Most microphysical models in precipitation physics and radar meteorology assume (at least implicitly) that raindrops are completely uncorrelated in space and time. Yet, several recent studies have indicated that raindrop arrivals are often temporally and spatially correlated. Resolution of this conflict must begin with observations of perfectly uncorrelated rainfall, should such “perfectly steady rain” exist at all. Indeed, it does. Using data with high temporal precision from a two-dimensional video disdrometer and the pair-correlation function, a scale-localized statistical tool, several ∼10–20-min rain episodes have been uncovered where no clustering among droplet arrival times is found. This implies that (i) rain events exist where current microphysical models can be tested in an optimal manner and (ii) not all rain can be properly described using fractals.
Publication Title
Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences
Recommended Citation
Larsen, M. L.,
Kostinski, A.,
&
Tokay, A.
(2005).
Observations and analysis of uncorrelated rain.
Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences,
62(11), 4071-4083.
http://doi.org/10.1175/JAS3583.1
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/physics-fp/227
Version
Publisher's PDF
Publisher's Statement
© 2005 American Meteorological Society. Article deposited in compliance with publisher policies. Publisher’s version of record: https://doi.org/10.1175/JAS3583.1