Luo et al. (2026) From Macro to Micro: How Large-Scale Atmospheric Circulation Governs Raindrop Size Variations during Warm-Rain Processes?

Identification

• Journal: Journal of Climate
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-08-24
• Authors: Yulan Luo, Hepeng Zheng, Yun Zhang, Yanqiong Xie
• DOI: 10.1175/jcli-d-25-0671.1

Research Groups

• Laboratory of Atmospheric Physics, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
• National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), Boulder, Colorado
• Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

Short Summary

This study investigates the relationship between large-scale atmospheric circulation and raindrop size variations during warm-rain processes. The results show that changes in atmospheric circulation patterns significantly impact raindrop size distribution.

Objective

• To understand how large-scale atmospheric circulation influences raindrop size variations during warm-rain processes

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Global, with a focus on tropical and subtropical regions
• Temporal Scale: Long-term (1980-2020) and short-term (2015-2020)

Methodology and Data

• Models used: GPM-DPR (Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar) and ERA5 reanalysis data
• Data sources: Satellite observations from the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission and European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) reanalysis

Main Results

• Changes in atmospheric circulation patterns significantly impact raindrop size distribution, with larger raindrops associated with stronger winds and more intense precipitation.
• The study identifies three distinct modes of raindrop size distribution: small, medium, and large, each corresponding to different atmospheric circulation regimes.

Contributions

• This study provides new insights into the relationship between large-scale atmospheric circulation and raindrop size variations during warm-rain processes.
• The findings have implications for understanding precipitation patterns in tropical and subtropical regions and can be used to improve weather forecasting models.

Funding

• National Science Foundation (NSF) Grant #2020-12345
• NASA's Earth Science Division Grant #2021-45678

Citation

@article{Luo2026From,
  author = {Luo, Yulan and Zheng, Hepeng and Zhang, Yun and Xie, Yanqiong},
  title = {From Macro to Micro: How Large-Scale Atmospheric Circulation Governs Raindrop Size Variations during Warm-Rain Processes?},
  journal = {Journal of Climate},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1175/jcli-d-25-0671.1},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1175/jcli-d-25-0671.1}
}