Recent measurements and inferences of drop shapes in rain from 2D-video disdrometer and polarimetric radar

Abstract

Two events with contrasting drop fall velocity versus drop shape characteristics are discussed. The events were captured by two collocated 2D video disdrometers, as well as a C-band polarimetric radar, 15 km away. Contoured images of the drops as well as their fall velocities from the disdrometer measurements, together with the analysis of simultaneously recorded radar observations, point towards the possibility of mixed mode drop oscillations including the horizontal mode occurring for the second event. The first event --which occurred 7 days prior-did not show any unusual characteristics, and represents the majority of the recorded events. Results are presented and discussed.