Abstract

The relative influences of accretional ice crystal growth (riming) and frontal passages on winter precipitation chemistry were evaluated in level terrain in east central Illinois during the winter of 1992. Six precipitation events were analyzed during the period January to March, 1992. Five events were characterized by the passage of cold Arctic fronts and no riming was observed. Precipitation chemistry was observed to change substantially during frontal passage, reflecting the different pollutant loadings in pre- and post-frontal air masses. Precipitation that fell on March 11, 1992, associated with a warm or occluded frontal system, was moderately rimed. Application of a linear multiple regression model revealed that most of the temporal variations in precipitation chemistry during this event could be explained by changes in the degree of riming and changes in the identity of the air mass producing precipitation above the site. Accreted ice crystal mass was dominated by cloud drops with diameters between 20 and 40 μm, indicating that the composition of drops in this size range exert the most influence on precipitation chemistry.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.