Abstract
A Lagrangian, trajectory-tracing scheme for modeling precipitation formation by the ice process is used for extensive sensitivity testing and is applied to a CCOPE (Cooperative Convective Precipitation Experiment) first-echo case. One major purpose is to try to gain a judgement of the degree of model simplification of the microphysical growth processes that is jusfiable in light of present uncertainties regarding both particle growth rates and cloud water content. Considerable microphysical simplification appears justified in that the time interval between nucleation and the onset of efficient accretional growth is far more important than any other factor in the growth equations. The model reproduces semiquantitatively the observed, first precipitation formation in the modeled cloud; it does not show a need for any novel ice nucleation schemes or ice multiplication processes.

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