Published date:Apr 16 2019

Journal Title: KnE Engineering

Issue title: International Conference on Basic Sciences and Its Applications (ICBSA-2018)

Pages:141–147

DOI: 10.18502/keg.v1i2.4439

Helmi Yusnaini

Marzuki .

Vertical distribution of intense convective clouds over Indonesia has been studied using radar reflectivity factor (dBZ) data gathered from the latest 2A25 TRMM–Precipitation Radar (PR) product over a 10-year (1998–2007). The vertical distribution of dBZ at the PR pixel scale has been classified into two type of convective cells, i.e., cumulonimbus tower (CbT) and intense convective clouds (ICC) following the classification proposed by some previous studies. The CbT contains Z threshold 20 dBZ at 12 km altitude with at least 9 km deep and the ICC contains Z threshold 30 and 41 dBZ at 8 and 3 km, respectively. It is found that intense convective cloud is more frequently observed over land such as Sumatra, Kalimantan and Jawa than over ocean areas. Downward increasing (DI) pattern of dBZ toward the surface found in CbT over coastal area of Sumatra and Indian ocean. ICC8 and ICC3 shows downward decreasing (DD) pattern for all locations.

Keywords: radar reflectivity, intense convective clouds, Indonesia, TRMM-PR 2A25

[1] Ye H, et al. (2017). Rapid decadal convective precipitation increase over eurasia during the last three decades of the 20th century, J. Sci. Add, 3, 101-122, [doi: 10.1126]


[2] Yuan, T., and X. Qie. (2008). Study on ligthning activity and precipiation characteristics before and after the onset of the Shout China Sea summer monsoons, J. Geophys. Res, 113 D14101, [doi:10.1029/2007JD009382]


[3] Bhat, G. S., and Kumar, S. (2016). Vertical structure of radar reflectivity factor in intense convective clouds in Tropics, J. Appl. Meteor., 55, 1277-1285 [doi:10.1175/JAMCD150110.1].


[4] Marzuki, et al. (2010).: Raindrop size distributions of convective rain over equatorial Indonesia during the first CPEA campaign, Atmos. Res., 96, 645-655.


[5] Marzuki, et al. (2013) Raindrop axis ratios, fall velocities and size distribution over Sumatra from 2D-Video Disdrometer measurement, in: Michaelides, S. (Eds.) Advances in Precipitation Science, Atmos. Res., 119, 23-37.


[6] Marzuki, et al. (2016) Precipitation Microstructure in Different Madden–Julian Oscillation Phases over Sumatra, Atmos. Res, 168, pp. 121-138.


[7] Marzuki et al. (2018). Seasonal and diurnal variations of vertical profile of preciptation over Indonesian Maritime Continent, engineering and mathematical topics in rainfall. H. Thedore and P. Rao, InTechOpen. London, United Kingdom.


[8] Kummerow et al. (1998). The tropical rainfall measuring mission (TRMM) sensor package, J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol,15, 809-817.[doi: 10.1175/1520- 0426(1998)015<0809:TTRMMT]


[9] Yuter, S. E., and Ra Houze Jr. (1995). Three-dimensional kinematic and microphysical evolution of Florida cumulonimbus: part ii. Frequency distribution of vertical velocity, reflectivity, and the different reflectivity, J. Mon. Weather Rev, 123, 1941-1963.