Study of radar bright band and freezing level height in 36N-36S region

Abstract

Present study consists the bright band height (BBH) and freezing level height (HFL) in the 36⁰ N-36⁰ S region, during the period 1999-2002 and 2007-2008. Bright band height values are obtained from the precipitation radar (PR) onboard the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite (TRMM). The study includes several Indian and foreign stations. It reports statistics of bright band height. It is found out that the bright band height depends on latitude and season. The results shows that the extreme + ve BBH anomaly exists between 10N-10S certainly, in all months, often extending up to 24⁰-36⁰ degree in both the hemispheres, while the –ve BBH anomaly is restricted to 28-36 degree in both the hemispheres. BBH anomaly shows clear seasonal dependence. The study also reveals that in the low latitude region, the HFL is higher than the BBH, while in the higher latitudes, BBH is higher. It appears that temperature plays a major role in determining the height of bright band. It is observed that the BBH responds to the oceans and the continents in a different manner.