Study on cloud types distribution over northern India using raDAR-liDAR (DARDAR)

A detailed study on the distribution of basic cloud types over the northern states of India (NSI) is performed using the decadal (2007-2016) DARDAR data, which facilitates merged raDAR and liDAR observations onto the high resolution matched geographical grid points. Study demonstrates the seasonal variations, with southwest monsoon (June-September) exhibiting the maximum (>50%) cloud appearances while during the active period of western disturbances (December-March), ~25% of the total annual clouds, over the NSI region. Altostratus is found to be the most frequent cloud type (~20%) among others in the last decade over this region, while during southwest monsoon and western disturbances, the most dominant cloud types are deep convective (~25%) and nimbostratus (~33%), respectively.