Aircraft measurement of the probability distribution of precipitation rate and liquid water content in the hurricane

Aircraft measurement of precipitation in the hurricane leads to insights into its origins, to interpretation of observed radar echo, to estimates of surface precipitation rates not measurable by other techniques and to design criteria for aircraft and surface instruments subject to a harsh environment. Analysis of data obtained by optical array sensors provide greater insight into these events when analyzed as a probability distribution function for data sets selected on a regional, hurricane location, or hurricane evolution basis. Liquid water content, precipitation rate and radar reflectivity are inferred from cross-sections of particle images. Each sequence, from seconds to seasons is presented in a probability format to display changing functional relationships for the selected intervals. The probability of intercepting a given quantity during a flight provides guidance in required instrument sensitivity together with the frequency of precipitation and liquid water content events for given rainfall totals.