Laser Disdrometer Instrument Handbook
- Brookhaven National Laboratory
In order to improve the quantitative description of precipitation processes in climate models, the ARM program has been collecting observations of the drop size spectra of rain events since early in 2006. ARM purchased Parsivel2 laser disdrometers with America Recovery Act funds and they have proven to be robust in the field. They make observations of the particle size distribution over the range of 0.06mm to 24mm and classify precipitation type. To date they have been deployed on board the Spirit Horizon during the MAGIC Field Campaign and one will be permanently deployed at East North Atlantic (ENA). ARM initially deployed impact disdrometers (TWPC1, TWPC3 and SGPC1). Each of the three units deployed was accompanied by a nearby tipping bucket. In 2010, the tipping buckets were upgraded to weighing buckets. Subsequently five video disdrometers were purchased. The purchase of the 6th video disdrometer is pending. The video disdrometers are permanently deployed at SGPC1, TWPC1, TWPC3 and in the near future at ENA. One video disdrometer is assigned to the ARM2. What follows is a detailed description of the Parsivel2 laser disdrometers and their datastreams.
- Research Organization:
- DOE Office of Science Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program (United States); Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER)
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC05-7601830
- OSTI ID:
- 1226796
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/SC-ARM-TR-137
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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