during transport (Rutledge and Houze, 1987), along with
aggregation during particle descent in the stratiform region
results in larger particles. These processes result in larger
particles throughout much of the vertical extent of the convective
systems, which yields stronger stratiform reflectivity
profiles.
Mean vertical profiles of IWC and LWC were calculated
using both convective and stratiform points. Large
differences in the vertical distributions of IWC (Figure 11)
were revealed between regions. The continental regions
contained the most ice water, with the coastal region
containing less. Maritime regions contained the smallest ice
mass contents. This suggested stronger updraughts inland,
allowing ice microphysics to play a more important role in
precipitation production at those locations. Contributions
to total ice mass were found to be largely from the convective
portion of storms (67–95%). As expected (due to the use of
an M–Z relationship) this followed the distribution of the
vertical profiles of convective reflectivity. The fact that the
AEW southerly and ridge regimes contained larger amounts
of ice water than other AEW regimes over land suggested
the presence of significant updraughts, capable of producing
large graupel, and probably even hail, particles that possess
large fall speeds. This is consistent with lower stratiform
fractions observed in these regions.
As suggested above, northern and southern region profiles
were similar, though northern continental regions contained