Analysis of Drop Size Distributions Utilizing a Parsivel Disdrometer and a Micro Rain Radar in Corpus Christi, Texas.

This study examines the parameters and variability of drop size distributions (DSDs) measured during the passage of precipitation events occurring in 2021 over Corpus Christi, Texas. The investigation of hydrometeor distributions from precipitating events is an important step towards improved cloud microphysical comprehension as well as refining the precipitation retrieval algorithms by using remote sensing techniques. The primary instruments used for this research are an OTT Hydromet Parsivel Disdrometer (PD) and a METEK Micro Rain Radar (MRR). Variables and integrated parameters derived from the DSD measurements are explored across the year-long dataset including the normalized intercept parameter Nw, mass-weighted mean diameter Dm, median volume diameter D0, mass standard deviation m, total drop number Nt, liquid water content LWC, and rain rate R. These data are additionally examined utilizing statistical tools to assist in explaining the variability of the dataset. The relationships among parameters from MRR and DSDs are further interpreted as from different types of precipitation systems with an extensive Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor (MRMS) Precipitation Feature (PF) dataset. The MRMS PF dataset contains properties of precipitation events from 2017 until the present and will be used to discern geographical, seasonal, and diurnal relationships of the precipitation event groups. Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) observation data collocated with the PFs are incorporated to further discern warm rain precipitation processes, which is the primary focus of this study.