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<p>Accurate representation of raindrop size distribution (DSD) is fundamental for understanding precipitation microphysics and improving quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) in numerical weather prediction models. This study investigates observed and model-simulated DSD characteristics over the eastern Indo-Gangetic Plain using high-resolution disdrometer measurements collected at Varanasi during the 2024 pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons. Disdrometer observations are evaluated against WRF simulations employing four widely used microphysics schemes (Thompson, WSM6, Purdue-Lin, and Morrison double-moment) across a four-domain nested configuration (90 –3.3&#xa0;km). Disdrometer rainfall shows strong consistency with independent reference datasets (AWS, IMD, and GPM), providing a reliable basis for model evaluation. Model performance improves markedly with increasing horizontal resolution, with convection-permitting simulations (~ 3.3&#xa0;km), near the lower bound of the convective gray zone, capturing rainfall intensity and temporal variability more realistically. Among the schemes, Purdue-Lin best reproduces observed rainfall totals and daily variability, whereas the Morrison scheme more accurately represents DSD shape and small-drop concentrations, particularly during monsoon convection. Observed DSDs reveal broader spectra with enhanced large-drop contributions during pre-monsoon events and narrower distributions dominated by smaller drops during monsoon rainfall. A region-specific reflectivity–rain rate relationship (Z = 293R<sup>1.69</sup>) is derived, underscoring deviations from standard assumptions used in radar QPE. The results demonstrate that both horizontal resolution and microphysics formulation critically control simulated precipitation structure, with important implications for high-resolution forecasting and hydrological applications over the eastern Indo-Gangetic Plain.</p>

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Comparative assessment of WRF-simulated raindrop size distribution using disdrometer observations in Varanasi

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月3日

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  • Saurabh Maurya,
  • Pramod Soni

摘要

Accurate representation of raindrop size distribution (DSD) is fundamental for understanding precipitation microphysics and improving quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) in numerical weather prediction models. This study investigates observed and model-simulated DSD characteristics over the eastern Indo-Gangetic Plain using high-resolution disdrometer measurements collected at Varanasi during the 2024 pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons. Disdrometer observations are evaluated against WRF simulations employing four widely used microphysics schemes (Thompson, WSM6, Purdue-Lin, and Morrison double-moment) across a four-domain nested configuration (90 –3.3 km). Disdrometer rainfall shows strong consistency with independent reference datasets (AWS, IMD, and GPM), providing a reliable basis for model evaluation. Model performance improves markedly with increasing horizontal resolution, with convection-permitting simulations (~ 3.3 km), near the lower bound of the convective gray zone, capturing rainfall intensity and temporal variability more realistically. Among the schemes, Purdue-Lin best reproduces observed rainfall totals and daily variability, whereas the Morrison scheme more accurately represents DSD shape and small-drop concentrations, particularly during monsoon convection. Observed DSDs reveal broader spectra with enhanced large-drop contributions during pre-monsoon events and narrower distributions dominated by smaller drops during monsoon rainfall. A region-specific reflectivity–rain rate relationship (Z = 293R1.69) is derived, underscoring deviations from standard assumptions used in radar QPE. The results demonstrate that both horizontal resolution and microphysics formulation critically control simulated precipitation structure, with important implications for high-resolution forecasting and hydrological applications over the eastern Indo-Gangetic Plain.