Vertical Raindrop Size Distribution in Central Spain: A Case Study

A precipitation event that took place on 12 October 2008 in Madrid, Spain, is analyzed in detail. Three different devices were used to characterize the precipitation: a disdrometer, a rain gauge, and a Micro Rain Radar (MRR). These instruments determine precipitation intensity indirectly, based on m...

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Main Authors: Roberto Fraile, Amaya Castro, Miguel González-Colino, Elisabeth Alonso-Blanco, María Fernández-Raga, Covadonga Palencia, Ana I. Calvo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2015-01-01
Series:Advances in Meteorology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/647647
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author Roberto Fraile
Amaya Castro
Miguel González-Colino
Elisabeth Alonso-Blanco
María Fernández-Raga
Covadonga Palencia
Ana I. Calvo
author_facet Roberto Fraile
Amaya Castro
Miguel González-Colino
Elisabeth Alonso-Blanco
María Fernández-Raga
Covadonga Palencia
Ana I. Calvo
author_sort Roberto Fraile
collection DOAJ
description A precipitation event that took place on 12 October 2008 in Madrid, Spain, is analyzed in detail. Three different devices were used to characterize the precipitation: a disdrometer, a rain gauge, and a Micro Rain Radar (MRR). These instruments determine precipitation intensity indirectly, based on measuring different parameters in different sampling points in the atmosphere. A comparative study was carried out based on the data provided by each of these devices, revealing that the disdrometer and the rain gauge measure similar precipitation intensity values, whereas the MRR measures different rain fall volumes. The distributions of drop sizes show that the mean diameter of the particles varied considerably depending on the altitude considered. The level at which saturation occurs in the atmosphere is decisive in the distribution of drop sizes between 2,700 m and 3,000 m. As time passes, the maximum precipitation intensities are registered at a lower height and are less intense. The maximum precipitation intensities occurred at altitudes above 1,000 m, while the maximum fall speeds are typically found at altitudes below 700 m.
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publishDate 2015-01-01
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series Advances in Meteorology
spelling doaj-art-4bc170b9f9ab4ac58c95ded50efc665b2025-02-03T06:08:28ZengWileyAdvances in Meteorology1687-93091687-93172015-01-01201510.1155/2015/647647647647Vertical Raindrop Size Distribution in Central Spain: A Case StudyRoberto Fraile0Amaya Castro1Miguel González-Colino2Elisabeth Alonso-Blanco3María Fernández-Raga4Covadonga Palencia5Ana I. Calvo6Department of Physics, IMARENAB, University of León, 24071 León, SpainDepartment of Physics, IMARENAB, University of León, 24071 León, SpainDepartment of Physics, IMARENAB, University of León, 24071 León, SpainResearch Centre for Energy, Technology and Environment (CIEMAT), 28040 Madrid, SpainDepartment of Physics, IMARENAB, University of León, 24071 León, SpainDepartment of Physics, IMARENAB, University of León, 24071 León, SpainDepartment of Physics, IMARENAB, University of León, 24071 León, SpainA precipitation event that took place on 12 October 2008 in Madrid, Spain, is analyzed in detail. Three different devices were used to characterize the precipitation: a disdrometer, a rain gauge, and a Micro Rain Radar (MRR). These instruments determine precipitation intensity indirectly, based on measuring different parameters in different sampling points in the atmosphere. A comparative study was carried out based on the data provided by each of these devices, revealing that the disdrometer and the rain gauge measure similar precipitation intensity values, whereas the MRR measures different rain fall volumes. The distributions of drop sizes show that the mean diameter of the particles varied considerably depending on the altitude considered. The level at which saturation occurs in the atmosphere is decisive in the distribution of drop sizes between 2,700 m and 3,000 m. As time passes, the maximum precipitation intensities are registered at a lower height and are less intense. The maximum precipitation intensities occurred at altitudes above 1,000 m, while the maximum fall speeds are typically found at altitudes below 700 m.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/647647
spellingShingle Roberto Fraile
Amaya Castro
Miguel González-Colino
Elisabeth Alonso-Blanco
María Fernández-Raga
Covadonga Palencia
Ana I. Calvo
Vertical Raindrop Size Distribution in Central Spain: A Case Study
Advances in Meteorology
title Vertical Raindrop Size Distribution in Central Spain: A Case Study
title_full Vertical Raindrop Size Distribution in Central Spain: A Case Study
title_fullStr Vertical Raindrop Size Distribution in Central Spain: A Case Study
title_full_unstemmed Vertical Raindrop Size Distribution in Central Spain: A Case Study
title_short Vertical Raindrop Size Distribution in Central Spain: A Case Study
title_sort vertical raindrop size distribution in central spain a case study
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/647647
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