Abstract
Multipoint videosonde launchings into the same stratiform cloud system were carried out in Okinawa during the Baiu rainy season for the first time. Six minutes after the first videosonde launching from Cape Zanpa (26.44°N, 127.71°E), the second videosonde was launched from Onna (26.50°N, 127.84°E), which is located 15km northeast of Cape Zanpa. Microphysical features observed by simultaneous videosonde soundings revealed the well-known horizontal homogeneity of the stratiform cloud, but local differences in cloud microphysics were found in the cloud, which are expected to be related to the developing/dissipating processes of the stratiform cloud. This new observation technique using the videosonde will be useful in investigating three-dimensional microphysical structures that change over a short period of time, such as short periods of intensive heavy rain.
