Vertical Evolution of Microphysical Properties during Snow Events in Middle Latitudes of China Observed by a C-band Vertically Pointing Radar

Abstract

This study applied the C-band vertically pointing radar with frequency-modulation continuous-wave technology to obtain the continuous observation data of four shallow and two deep snow events during the winter of 2015–2016 in the midlatitudes of China. Generating cells (GCs) were found near the echo tops in every event. The ice particle number concentration (N), ice water content (IWC), and median mass diameter (D_m) retrieved from radar Doppler spectra were used to analyze the microphysical properties in the snow clouds. The clouds were divided into upper GC and lower stratiform (St) regions according to their vertical structure. The fall streaks (FSs) associated with GCs were embedded in the St regions. In the GC regions, the N values in shallow events were smaller compared with those in deep events, and D_m and IWC were larger. In the St regions, N decreased compared with that in the GC regions, and D_m and IWC increased, implying the existence of aggregation and deposition growth. The growth of particle size and mass mainly occurred in the St regions. The increases of N were usually observed near −5°C accompanied by bimodal Doppler spectra, which might be caused by ice multiplication. The average ratios of the median N, D_m, and IWC inside GCs to those outside GCs were 2, 1.3, and 2.5, respectively, for shallow events, with 1.7, 1.2, and 2.3, respectively, for deep events. These values were basically the same as those for the FSs, implying the importance of GCs to the enhanced ice growth subsequently found in FSs. The larger values of N, D_m, and IWC inside GCs could be related to the upward air motions inside GCs. The first Z_e-IWC relationship suitable for snow clouds in the midlatitudes of China was also established.