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Satellite retrieval algorithms and model microphysical parameterizations require guidance from observations to improve the representation of ice-phase microphysical quantities and processes. Here, a parameterization for ice-phase particle size distributions (PSDs) is developed using in situ measurements of cloud microphysical properties collected during the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Cold-Season Precipitation Experiment (GCPEx). This parameterization takes advantage of the relation between the gamma-shape parameter  μ  and the mass-weighted mean diameter  D   m   of the ice-phase PSD sampled during GCPEx. The retrieval of effective reflectivity  Z   e   and ice water content (IWC) from the reconstructed PSD using the  μ – D   m   relationship was tested with independent measurements of  Z   e   and IWC and overall leads to a mean error of 8% in both variables. This represents an improvement when compared with errors using the Field et al. parameterization of 10% in IWC and 37% in  Z   e  . Current radar precipitation retrieval algorithms from GPM assume that the PSD follows a gamma distribution with  μ  = 3. This assumption leads to a mean overestimation of 5% in the retrieved  Z   e  , whereas applying the  μ – D   m   relationship found here reduces this bias to an overestimation of less than 1%. Proper selection of the  a  and  b  coefficients in the mass–dimension relationship is also of crucial importance for retrievals. An inappropriate selection of  a  and  b , even from values observed in previous studies in similar environments and cloud types, can lead to more than 100% bias in IWC and  Z   e   for the ice-phase particles analyzed here.

Improved Parameterization of Ice Particle Size Distributions Using Uncorrelated Mass Spectrum Parameters: Results from GCPEx