Winter hailstorms signatures by C-band polarimetric radar at Delhi

In the northern region of India, hailstorms are common phenomena during winter. Four cases of hailstorms around Delhi (28 degrees 58975' N, 77 degrees 22195' E) region during winter have been analyzed in the present study. It is mainly based on the observations of polarimetric radar variables (Z(H) and Z(DR)), as observed by Delhi C-band Doppler weather radar and supplementary thermodynamic variables (CAPE, CIN, wind shear). The thermodynamic properties of the atmosphere during the hailstorm events have been studied using radiosonde observations. The hailstorms over the study region are classified into two types with and without large CAPE. Although Z(H) is higher for all events, the Z(DR) differs for the two categories. The events with small CAPE and strong shear produce storms with larger Z(DR) (rain mixed with small hail), while those with large CAPE and weak shear produce smaller Z(DR) (strong hail). (C) 2016 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)