Abstract
A theoretical method is given which allows computing the acceleration to terminal velocity of cloud and raindrops at various levels in the atmosphere. For drops of equivalent radius 800 μm ≤ a0 ≤ 3500 μm our theoretical predictions were found to agree well with the results of an experimental study carried out in the UCLA Rain-Shaft. For drops of 20 μm ≤ a0 ≤ 80 μm our theoretical predictions were found to agree well with the experimental results of Sartor and Abbott (1975). Experiment and theory indicate that in air of 1000 mb and 20°C, drops of a0 > 1000 μm need distances of at least 12 m to accelerate to terminal velocity.
