A radar study on thunderstorms and convective clouds around New Delhi during southwest monsoon season

Abstract

Data collected during the monsoon season of 1959 with an AN/CPS-9 radar located at New Delhi have been used to study and distinguish the echoes from thunderstorms with that from convective clouds. It is shown that for an echo whose top is colder than-25'5°Cthereis 85 percent probabilities at it is or will shortly become a thunderstorm. Convective echoes which do not grow above this level are less likely to produce thunderstorms. It is also shown that from the knowledge of the height of the echo tops and the height of the 0°C Isotherm from radar and radiosonde observation. one can ascertain with 85 per cent probability whether the clouds still remain convective or have culminated into thunderstorm. From the point of view of aviation weather warning this simple method would be of considerable practical utility.