| Abstract |
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A portable laser radar system was installed at Manora Peak, Nainital (29? 22’ N, 79?27’ E, 1960 m MSL) under a scientific collaborative programme between National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL), Gadanki and Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital. The laser radar system provides the extinction of vertical distribution of airborne particles in the atmosphere. In this paper, we show the laser radar observations obtained on two consecutive days. A drastic reduction in the height distribution of airborne particles due to heavy rain scavenging processes in the atmosphere was seen in the laser radar observations obtained on 17 May 2006. The airborne particle optical depth (AOD) obtained on 16 May 2006 was about 0.21 at ?=0.532 ?m, which is typical for the month of May at this high altitude site. However, on 17 May 2006 this value reduced to 0.08 due to the rain washout effect in the height range of 0.2 to 3.0 km AGL. |
