Publication: Role of Electrical Effects in Intensifying Rainfall Rates in the Tropics
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Date
2022
Journal Title
Geophysical Research Letters
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
John Wiley and Sons Inc
Abstract
In the backdrop of a significant improvement in weather prediction with Numerical Weather Prediction models, quantitative prediction of the intensity of heavy rainfall events and associated disasters has remained a challenge. Encouraged by the recent emergence of compelling observational evidence for a significant electrical influence on cloud/rain microphysical processes (Mudiar, Pawar, Gopalakrishnana et�al.,�2021, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021gl093577), here we propose a hypothesis that the modification of the raindrop size distribution (RDSD) towards larger drop sizes facilitated by cloud electric fields could be one factor responsible for realistic rainfall intensity in weather/climate models. The robustness of the proposed hypothesis is confirmed through a series of simulations of strongly electrified rain events with the Weather Research and Forecasting model incorporating the electrically modified RDSD parameters in the model physics. Our results indicate a possible roadmap for improving hazard prediction associated with extreme rainfall events in weather prediction models. � 2021. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.
Description
Keywords
electrical forces, lightning, numerical weather prediction, raindrop size distribution, raingush