Variations in raindrop size distribution and specific attenuation due to rain in Nigeria

The raindrop size distributions had been measured at thr-ee locations in Nigeria - Calabar, Ile-Ife and Zaria. The data collected over a period of three years have been utilized to obtain models of drop size distributions for drizzle, shower, widespread and thunderstorm I ain. The lognormal distribution provides a good fit for all the lain types at these tropical locations except drizzle, where the exponential model is adequate. The implications of the models for specific attenuation calculations for tropical rain are discussed.