Ice cloud microphysical properties of DCS calculated by UND Aircraft probes and retrieved by ARM radar observations during MC3E

Description

The Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E) was a very successful field campaign with 15 convective cases observed by the University of North Dakota (UND) Citation II aircraft and surface-satellite sensors. There were at least six deep convective systems (DCS) (April 25 and 27, May 10, 20, and 23–24), including the classic DCS case on May 20, which has drawn much attention for scientists to study its structure and properties from observational and modelling points of view. During the experiments, several microphysical properties were studied including ice water content (IWC) at upper part of DCSs. Due to instrumentation limits, Nevzorov hot-wire TWC sensor could not capture all the ice crystals especially those with sizes greater than 900 microns. To have the best estimated IWC and PSD, the temperature thresholds for pure ice-phase-layer in DCS have been determined firstly through an integrative analysis of icing detector records, 2DC image reading results, and direct measurement from CDP concentration and King LWC probe. Then, a new method to estimate the IWC and PSD is developed using a combination of Nevzorov measurement, 2DC and HVPS images. The best estimated IWC, particle size, and PSD have been used to validate the retrievals from the DOE ARM radar reflectivity.