Rain Enhancement Feasibility Potential of Orographic Clouds Over Northern Greece

Measurement characteristics of orographic clouds over northern Greece are obtained through the C-band weather radar being located close to the area of interest. Characteristics are analyzed using the cell tracker TITAN (Thunderstorm Identification, Tracking, Analysis and Nowcasting). The study aims in analyzing certain orographic cloud characteristics, as a tool for investigating possible rain enhancement feasibility potential of these clouds. The radar-based characteristics include cloud vertical extend, reflectivity, volume, area, mass, precipitation rate, speed and liquid water content. The analyses of the weather radar measurements bring out evidences of the occurred orographic clouds over northern Greece. The analyses are performed for a 5 year period, from April 2006 until December 2010, focusing on the April to September period of each year. Moreover, several cases of winter time orographic clouds are also included. Results indicate significant differences in occurred orographic clouds between the cold and the warm season of the year. Orographic clouds appear to be more intense during the warm season of the year and less during the cold.