Comparisons of Raindrop Size Distributions Measured by an Optical Disdrometer and Electrically Charged Raindrops

MARTÍNEZ, LUCIA B.; PEREYRA, RODOLFO G.; ÁVILA, ELDO E.

Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres

American Geophysical Union

Año: 2023 vol. 128

2169-897X

Raindrop size distributions observed with a particle size velocity disdrometer are contrasted withrespect to the size distributions of charged raindrops obtained with a special device designed to determine the size and electric charge of raindrops. The measurements were performed for three thunderstorms occurred in the vicinity of Córdoba, Argentina during RELAMPAGO campaign. In general, the results show that more than 66% of the raindrops measured with the optical disdrometer have diameters 1 mm. A systematic difference between both raindrops size distributions was observed, which remains during the whole evolution of the storms. Under the hypothesis that the electrically charged raindrops were melted ice hydrometeors, we analyze if the larger raindrops recorded by thedisdrometer during these storms may also have been melted ice particles.