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<br />e <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />.. <br /> <br />Initial field studies during the winter of 1976-77 used aircraft, radar, <br /> <br />II" <br /> <br />and other ground instrumentation. The objectives of developing a radar <br />c1 imato logy as well as studyi ng the transport, diffusion, and microphys ica1 <br />characteristics of these storms were only partially achieved due to an <br /> <br />abnormally dry winter season. <br /> <br />A continued field effort during the 197i'-78 field season indicated that: <br /> <br />1. The feasibil ity of using the Sk~vwater 5-cm radar to observe and <br />analyze winter storms in the study area was demonstrated. The radar <br />site in Sheridan, California, proved to be a good location for e1imi- <br /> <br />nating ground clutter without major blockage. <br /> <br />2. Sierra Nevada storms are strongly banded. Almost all bands formed <br /> <br />over the Pacific or the coastal range and moved over the Sacramento- <br />San Joaquin Valley, up the west slopl~ of the Sierra Nevada, and into <br /> <br />Nevada. <br /> <br />Major intensification of the precipitation occurred as the <br /> <br />bands approached the foothills. The bands were highly variable in space <br /> <br />and time and normally occurred in a stable atmosphere. <br /> <br />3. Convective cells developed mainly behind fronts and along the lower <br />foothills of the Sierra Nevada (near 1000 m, m.s.1.). They moved up the <br />barrier toward the crest, parallel to but slightly slower than the <br />700-mbar wind. As convective cells moved from the valley to the moun- <br />tain, they tended to veer to the left of the steering winds. Convective <br />cells within bands tended to move from south to north relative to the <br /> <br />band. <br /> <br />1-3 <br />