Study of TRMM estimated freezing level height in the 36N – 36S region

Abstract

In this paper the freezing level height (HFL), a very important parameter in cloud physics has been studied in the latitudinal belt 36N-36S, during the period 1999-2002 and 2007-2008. Present study shows that the latitude is the major controlling factor of the HFL, rather than LH or temperature. Further, it is seen that the HFL depends on season. The study also reveals that the HFL responds in a different manner over the continental and the oceanic sites. Functional relationship between the HFL and latitude shows seasonal dependence. It also presents the range of the HFL, its maximum and minimum values and the months of occurrence of the maxima/minima over few selected locations, including India.