Cirrus Particle Distribution Study

Cirrus Particle Distribution Study
Author: Donald J. Varley
Publisher:
Total Pages: 96
Release: 1979
Genre: Cirrus clouds
ISBN:

This is the fourth in a series of reports presenting particle distribution data acquired in cirrus clouds over the western U.S. The data herein were obtained 21 March 1978 by an instrumented MC-130E near Albuquerque, N.M. The area was under the influence of a slight upper level ridge, and the cirrus appeared related to jet stream winds. No significant surface weather was present at the time. Results include the following: (1) The largest particles measured were near 2500 micrometers, but there were only one or fewer of these per m3; (2) occasional particles as large as 1300 micrometers were recorded in what visually was cloud-free air; (3) few of the particles could be recognized in any known classification system but those most frequently recognized were bullet rosettes; (4) the PMS 2-D data revealed particle-type changes occurring in 5 sec or less of flight time; (5) a halo around the sun was periodically seen when mixed-type crystals containing bullet rosettes were recorded; (6) varying numbers of small particles (the difference between 1 to 28 micrometers) were recorded almost continually, even in clear air, while the aircraft was between 23,000 ft (7.0 km) and 27,300 ft (8.3 km) MSL; (7) computed ice water content values generally decreased with height and increased with temperature in the cirriform clouds sampled; (8) particle size spectra were seldom exponential for particles smaller than approximately 250 micrometers; and (9) bimodal peaks were frequent in the population distribution near 100 and 250 micrometers. (Author).

A Survey of Melting Layer Research

A Survey of Melting Layer Research
Author: Robert C. Schaller
Publisher:
Total Pages: 104
Release: 1982
Genre: Ice
ISBN:

This report summarizes previous melting-layer research both within and outside AFGL and provides recommendations for future research in the melting layer. An extensive literature search provided a bibliography of previous research. This bibliography is included as an appendix. Several definitions of the top and bottom of the melting layer are presented and discussed. Aggregation and breakup appear to be the chief microphysical processes that determine the particle-size spectrum of snow and ice that enter the melting layer. Studies of the actual melting process and of the melting layer as seen by radar are presented. Microphysical and thermodynamic characteristics are discussed. Dynamic considerations are mentioned. Previously gathered aircraft data are reviewed, and recommendations are made for future aircraft and radar data-gathering efforts. (Author).

Investigations of Large Scale Storm Systems

Investigations of Large Scale Storm Systems
Author: Arnold A. Barnes
Publisher:
Total Pages: 48
Release: 1982
Genre: Cirrus clouds
ISBN:

The microphysics of Large Scale Cloud Systems (LSCS) was investigated by in-situ measurements made from two specially instrumented aircraft, a United States Air Force MC-130E and a Learjet 36 Information was obtained on the distribution of liquid and ice water content, particle size distributions, crystal habits, and other meteorological variables. The morphologies of three storms were investigated in detail as the storms crossed the United States.

Snow and Ice Particle Sizes and Mass Concentrations at Altitudes Up to 9 Km (30,000 Feet)

Snow and Ice Particle Sizes and Mass Concentrations at Altitudes Up to 9 Km (30,000 Feet)
Author: Richard K. Jeck
Publisher:
Total Pages: 100
Release: 1998
Genre: Airplanes
ISBN:

About 7600 nautical miles (nm) (14,000 km) of select ice particle measurements over the United States have been compiled into a single, computerized database for use in characterizing ice crystal and snowflake (generally termed ice particle) size distributions and mass concentrations at flight altitudes. Data are from 50 research flights by six agencies in eight flight research projects using Particle Measuring Systems' one-dimensional (1-D) and two-dimensional (2-D) particle sizing probes. Primary recorded variables are average particle size distributions in the range 0.1 to 10 mm from each of 1625 microphysically uniform cloud intervals or other convenient distances in wintertime clouds, snowstorms, cirrus, and other high-altitude clouds. The findings are that, generally, the largest particles and the greatest concentrations of total ice particle mass (TIPM) are confined to altitudes below 20,000 ft (6 km). There, particles of 10 mm in maximum dimension and TIPM's up to about 3 g/m(exp 3) may be found. Above 20,000 ft, particles are smaller than 2 mm and TIPM's are less than 0.2 g/m(exp 3) in the cirrus and the upper reaches of deep winter storm clouds that are found at these levels. Exceptions are thunderstorm anvil clouds where 10 mm particles and TIPM's of at least 1 g/m(exp 3) can be found up to at least 30,000 ft (9 km). Anvil clouds and stratiform clouds associated with warm season mesoscale convective systems have provided some of the largest TIPM's, the greatest particle concentrations, and the largest particle sizes at high and mid altitudes, respectively. In contrast to supercooled cloud droplets where the largest liquid water (mass) concentrations are confined to short distances of 3 nm or less in convective clouds, the largest average TIPM's in glaciated clouds have been found in layer clouds over distances up to 30 nm.

Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports

Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 804
Release: 1994
Genre: Aeronautics
ISBN:

Lists citations with abstracts for aerospace related reports obtained from world wide sources and announces documents that have recently been entered into the NASA Scientific and Technical Information Database.