WMOD00283

• Sponsor Name: USBR, Technical Service Center, River Systems 7 Meteorology Group
• Project Name: Use of NEXRAD WSR-88D Radar Snow Accumulations Algorith in the GCIP LSA-NC
• Title: Use of NEXRAD WSR-88D Radar Snow Accumulations Algorith in the GCIP LSA-NC
• Prepared For: USBR Technical Service Center
• Prepared By: Arlin B. Super
• Date: 1/1/1998
• State: MN
• Weather Modification - Doc Type: Report

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CONTENTS

Page

1. Introduction..................................................... '. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1

2. Use ofthe vertical profIle of reflectivity for range correction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2
3. Adequacy of Level ill reflectivity measurements for SWE estimation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 8
4. Summary and conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 22

5. Bibliography....................................................................... 23

TABLES

Table

1 Summary of average hourly SWE accumulations (mm h-I) for nine Minnesota snow storms . . . . . .. 4
2 Summary of storm total SWE accumulations (mm), using both Level II and Level ill reflectivity
data as input to the SAA, for fIve different Minnesota winter storms ........................ 21

FIGURES

Figure

1 Linear regression equations fIt to the average vertical profIles of radar-estimated SWE for
nine Minnesota snow storms ........................................................ 6
2 PPI plots of storm total SWE accumulation as observed by the KMPX radar on
November 20-21, 1996 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 11
3 PPI plots similar to fIgure 2 but for December 22-24, 1996 ............................... 13
4 . PPI plots similar to fIgure 2 but forJ anuary 4-5, 1997 ................................... 15
5 PPI plots similar to fIgure 2 but for February 28-March 1, 1997 . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 17
6 PPI plots similar to figure 2 but for March 3-4, 1997 .................................... 19

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