3.3. Microphysical characteristics
Due to the variability of horizontal and vertical characteristics
it was of interest to try to explore microphysical
characteristics in a limited way, based upon radar reflectivity.
The previous section suggested how microphysical
processes in the regions varied as a function of AEW regime.
These processes contribute to determining the characteristics
associated with the population of PFs in each region.
Minimum 85 GHz PCT distributions (Figure 13) indicated
a higher frequency of larger 85 GHz depressions (lower
85 GHz PCTs) over the continent, decreasing in occurrence
westward into the Atlantic. Greater variability between AEW
regimes was observed in the coastal and continental regions,
but supported regional distributions of MSH (Figure 4),
where taller storms corresponded to greater ice scattering
signatures, and more intense convective systems by other
metrics (i.e. 30 dBZ heights and vertical reflectivity profiles).
While the same zonal trend was observed in the southern
regions, all southern regions exhibited a smaller frequency
of larger 85 GHz depressions than northern counterpart
regions. Minimum 37 GHz PCT distributions (not shown)