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Corrections of precipitation particle size distribution measured by a parsivel OTT<sup>2</sup> disdrometer under windy conditions in the antisana massif, Ecuador

Abstract:

Monitoring precipitation in mountainous areas using traditional tipping-bucket rain gauges (TPB) has become challenging in sites with strong variations of air temperature and wind speed (Ws). The drop size distributions (DSD), amount, and precipitation-type of a Parsivel OTT2 disdrom-eter installed at 4730 m above sea level (close to the 0◦ C isotherm) in the glacier foreland of the Antisana volcano in Ecuador are used to analyze the precipitation type. To correct the DSDs, we removed spurious particles and shifted fall velocities such that the mean value matches with the fall velocity–diameter relationship of rain, snow, graupel, and hail. Solid (SP) and liquid precipitation (LP) were identified through −1 and 3◦ C thresholds and then grouped into low, medium, and high Ws categories by k-means approach. Changes in DSDs were tracked using concentration spectra and particle’s contribution by diameter and fall velocity. Thus, variations of concentration/dispersion and removed hydrometeors were linked with Ws changes. Corrected precipitation, assuming constant density (1 g cm−3), gives reliable results for LP with respect to measurements at TPB and overes-timates SP measured in disdrometer. Therefore, corrected precipitation varying density models achieved fewer differences. These results are the first insight toward the understating of precipitation microphysics in a high-altitude site of the tropical Andes.