P-Type Processes and Predictability: The Winter Precipitation Type Research Multiscale Experiment (WINTRE-MIX)
Author:
Minder Justin R.1, Bassill Nick1, Fabry Frédéric2, French Jeffrey R.3, Friedrich Katja4, Gultepe Ismail5, Gyakum John2, Kingsmill David E.4, Kosiba Karen6, Lachapelle Mathieu7, Michelson Daniel8, Nichman Leonid9, Nguyen Cuong9, Thériault Julie M.7, Winters Andrew C.4, Wolde Mengistu9, Wurman Joshua6
Affiliation:
1. University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York; 2. McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; 3. University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming; 4. University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado; 5. Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, Ontario, Ontario Technical University, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada; 6. University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, Illinois; 7. University of Quebec at Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; 8. Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; 9. National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Abstract
Abstract
During near-0°C surface conditions, diverse precipitation types (p-types) are possible, including rain, drizzle, freezing rain, freezing drizzle, ice pellets, wet snow, snow, and snow pellets. Near-0°C precipitation affects wide swaths of the United States and Canada, impacting aviation, road transportation, power generation and distribution, winter recreation, ecology, and hydrology. Fundamental challenges remain in observing, diagnosing, simulating, and forecasting near-0°C p-types, particularly during transitions and within complex terrain. Motivated by these challenges, the field phase of the Winter Precipitation Type Research Multiscale Experiment (WINTRE-MIX) was conducted from 1 February to 15 March 2022 to better understand how multiscale processes influence the variability and predictability of p-type and amount under near-0°C surface conditions. WINTRE-MIX took place near the U.S.–Canadian border, in northern New York and southern Quebec, a region with plentiful near-0°C precipitation influenced by terrain. During WINTRE-MIX, existing advanced mesonets in New York and Quebec were complemented by deployment of 1) surface instruments, 2) the National Research Council Convair-580 research aircraft with W- and X-band Doppler radars and in situ cloud and aerosol instrumentation, 3) two X-band dual-polarization Doppler radars and a C-band dual-polarization Doppler radar from the University of Illinois, and 4) teams collecting manual hydrometeor observations and radiosonde measurements. Eleven intensive observing periods (IOPs) were coordinated. Analysis of these WINTRE-MIX IOPs is illuminating how synoptic dynamics, mesoscale dynamics, and microscale processes combine to determine p-type and its predictability under near-0°C conditions. WINTRE-MIX research will contribute to improving nowcasts and forecasts of near-0°C precipitation through evaluation and refinement of observational diagnostics and numerical forecast models.
Publisher
American Meteorological Society
Subject
Atmospheric Science
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