Characteristics of Melting Layer in Cyclones Over the Western North Pacific Detected by the GPM Dual‐Frequency Precipitation Radar

Abstract

Abstract A knowledge of melting layer (ML) is crucial for the accurate estimation of rainfall and the study of microphysical characterization of the cloud. Based on 5 years (2016–2020) of measurements of cyclones over the Western North Pacific from the dual‐frequency precipitation radar on board the Global Precipitation Measurement satellite, the characteristics and microphysical processes of ML are investigated. Our research shows that the height of the top boundary of ML is higher than the freezing level (0 degrees centigrade level, FL), and the Z e of freezing level is larger than that of the top of ML. The height of ML is the result of the combined effect of latitude and stage of cyclone. When the ice particles pass through the ML, the mass‐weighted mean diameter ( D m ), the generalized intercept parameter ( N w ), and the distributions of the reflectivity factor ( Z e ) increase, indicating that growth mechanism and breakup process.