Research Projects

Understanding the vertical structure of precipitation is crucial for representing cloud dynamics and microphysical processes in numerical weather prediction models, hydrometeor growth/decay mechanisms, and retrievals of latent heat (LH) profiles from remote sensing observations. It also plays a crucial role in quantitative precipitation estimation in space-based and ground-based radars. Proper representation of vertical profiles of hydrometeors improves precipitation estimation in satellite microwave sensors. Virga rain and thunderstorms are two extreme forms of precipitation. Thunderstorms are associated with heavy rain and can lead to flash floods and urban flooding. Understanding the microphysical processes between thunderstorm and non-thunderstorm rain is essential for climate models. In India, thunderstorms are common, with lightning-related deaths being the highest in the last decade over Madhya Pradesh. The extreme temperature and dry climate also favor the occurrence of virga precipitation. This project aims to investigate two key outstanding scientific issues: (1) how rain microphysics changes in different phases of a thunderstorm and (2) the characteristics of virga type of rain over Central India. This will enable quantifying the uncertainty associated with radar QPE. An observational study will be carried out over central India at IIT Indore, MP, using a vertical pointing micro rain radar to investigate precipitation microphysics, vertical evolution, and cloud characteristics during different phases of thunderstorms and virga rain. The knowledge gained will be beneficial for improving NWP forecasting skills and QPE in remote sensing observations.