Model analysis of radar echo split observed in an artificial cloud seeding experiment

Shimada Masaki, Tomine Kikuro, Nishiyama Koji

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

An artificial cloud seeding experiment was performed over the Japan Sea in winter to show how massive seeding could be effective to mitigate heavy snowfall damage. The results showed that 20 min after cloud seeding, a portion of the radar echo beneath the seeding track was weakened to divide the radar echo into two parts. In order to analyze the results, a numerical simulation was conducted by using the Weather Research and Forecasting model verion 3.5.1. In this simulation, the seeding effects were represented as phenomena capable of changing rain particles by accreting cloud ice and snow to form graupel particles and by changing cloud liquid water to snow particles. The graupel particles fell rapidly, thus temporarily intensifying the rainfall, which subsequently decreased. Therefore, the weakened radar echo in the field experiment is deemed to have been caused by the increase in rapidly falling graupel particles.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)386-400
Number of pages15
JournalJournal of Meteorological Research
Volume30
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 1 2016

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Ocean Engineering
  • Atmospheric Science

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