Microphysics of

SPARTICUS and

MacPex Clouds

Paul Lawson

Comparison of WB-57 and Lear Microphysics

Measurements

During Coordinated Flight Through Cirrus on 18 April 2011

Measurements from Lear and WB-57 Cloud Particle Probes

During In-Trail Comparison Flight

Measurements from Lear and WB-57 Cloud Particle Probes

During In-Trail Comparison Flight

SPARTICUS Profile

In Thin, Warm Cirrus

SPARTICUS Profile

In Thin, Warm Cirrus

SPARTICUS Profile

In Cold, Thick Cirrus

SPARTICUS Learjet Flight Through Anvil over SGP

on 15 June 2010

Learjet made 8 Passes Stepping up from

FL250 (- 20 C) to FL 380 (-52 C)

CPI Images at FL250 (-20 C) <-------->

1 mm

CPI Images at FL250 (-20 C) <-------->

1 mm

2D-S Images at FL250 (-20 C) <----->

1 mm

HVPS Images at FL250 (-20 C) <---->

1 cm

CPI Images at FL310 (-33 C) <-------->

1 mm

2D-S Images at FL310 (-33 C) <----->

1 mm

HVPS Images at FL310 (-33 C) <---->

1 cm

CPI Images at FL380 -52 C <-------->

1 mm

2D-S Images at FL380 (-52 C) <----->

1 mm

HVPS Images at FL380 (-52 C) <---->

1 cm

1. 2D-S measurements in SPARTICUS and MacPex appear to be reliable. Horizontal and vertical channels are in good agreement. Based on one comparison, both WB-57 2D-S and HVPS particle concentrations are slightly lower than Lear, but time differential in cloud penetration may explain difference.

2. HVPS concentration measurements appear to be lower relative to 2D-S in MacPex. HVPS concentrations in both SPARTICUS and MacPex (and 2D-P in SPARTICUS) appear to be lower than 2D-S when max particle size < ~1 to 2 mm.

3. SPEC FCDP concentration measurements in MacPex are in phase with 2D-S small particle measurements, but lower concentration values and PSD’s are suspect. DMT CDP measurements in SPARTICUS (when the probe appears to be working) are in phase but much higher than 2D-S. PSD’s are suspect.

4. Users are STRONGLY ENCOURAGEDSTRONGLY ENCOURAGED to plot PSD’s from each probe and examine overlap to determine suitability before using or combining PSD’s for analysis.

SummarySummary