Abstract
Abstract A comprehensive yet simple formula is presented for the terminal fall velocity of solid precipitation particles. It depends on three particle parameters: mass, the mean circumscribed area presented to the flow, and the mean effective projected area presented to the flow. This formula is deduced from a single mean Davies number-Reynolds number relation based on boundary layer theory and therefore includes environmental conditions (air density and temperature). Terminal velocity is predicted with errors ≲10% for a wide variety of particles, e.g., various planar and columnar crystals, rimed and unrimed aggregates, graupel (lump, conical, and hexagonal) and hail up to over 10cm in diameter. In view of its general form and the broad base of examination, the formula is felt to be generally applicable to all kinds of natural solid precipitation particles including shapes not tested in this study.
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