How do the raindrop size distributions of convective and stratiform precipitation change in Great Britain?

Raindrop size distributions (DSDs) are crucial for understanding the microphysical mechanisms of rainfall. This study investigates DSD characteristics for convective and stratiform rainfall in Great Britain (GB) using data from eleven Thies laser precipitation monitors (LPMs), one OTT Parsivel², and one Joss–Waldvogel disdrometer (RD-69) collected between 2017 and 2019. Approximately 1.1 million high-resolution one-minute raindrop samples were fitted to the normalized gamma distribution model, parameterized by the concentration parameter (N_w), the mass-weighted mean diameter (D_m), and the shape parameter (μ). The core focus of this presentation is to elucidate how these DSD characteristics vary both temporally and spatially within GB. Temporally, we investigate distinct seasonal shifts in D_m, N_w, and μ for both rain types, exploring linkages to seasonal changes in atmospheric thermodynamics and dynamics. Spatially, we examine the influence of geographical factors and topography on the DSD parameters, assessing how local environment modulates raindrop spectra. Furthermore, the presentation will detail the characteristic relationships between these key DSD parameters (N_w, D_m) and the rainfall rate (R), highlighting differences between convective and stratiform regimes and how these relationships themselves may exhibit spatial and seasonal dependencies across the different regions of Great Britain. This analysis provides vital insights into regional precipitation microphysics.