WMOD00416

• Title: Wintertime Cloud Systems Over the Rockies: Three Case Studies
• Date: 12/1/1980
• Weather Modification - Doc Type: Report

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dynamic modification potential, on the other hand, may exist due to the

fact that by treating a cloud system, an additional latent heat release

may affect a change in the condensation rate by altering the vertical

motion field (Elliott, 1966; Chappell, 1970; Elliott, et a1., 1971;

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Vardiman and Grant, 1972; Grant, et a1., 1974; Brown, ~ a1., 1976;

Cooper and Saunders, 1976; }1arwitz, 1976; Nickerson, et a1., 1976; Reid,

1976; Vardiman, et a1., 1976; Rhea, 1978).

These three vertical velocity components are important to the en-

tire cloud system in that they determine the physical processes which

mayor may not operate within the system. These three components are

generated by the movement, forcing, strength, temperature and moisture

structure of the synoptic-scale disturbance. A detailed analysis of

these various elements may lead to an understanding of the workings and

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interactions of the cloud system components which in turn determine each

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characteristic cloud system.

1.3 Data Source

In order to investigate the interaction of the orographic cloud

system components and the control that the synoptic-scale migratory wave

has upon the cloud system, case studies were designed to describe three

different cloud systems and their accompanying atmospheric disturbances.

Data collected during the Colorado State University Orographic Seeding

Experiments (COSE 1- January, February, March, 1979 and COSE II -

November, December, 1979) conducted over the Park Range of northwestern

Colorado, shape the basis for these case studies (see Figures 1 and 2).

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The specific objective of the CSU Orographic Seeding Experiments

were: i) to quantitatively define the dispersion and transport of

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