Hello fellow readers! Welcome back to the blog! On April 25, 2015, the American and GEM regional models predicted precipitation to begin at 2100 UTC. The surface analysis at 1800 UTC showed a low to the northeast of Alberta, creating an upslope event. However, at about 1900 UTC, a band of precipitation formed across the Strathmore radar. The band of precipitation appeared to be growing larger therefore I (Ida) quickly packed a snack and hurried over to KES!
I arrived at KES at about 2000 UTC though precipitation had not yet begun. The site remained sunny with many clouds over KES as well as the west and east mountains (donut hole). The PARSIVEL and timelapse camera were switched on as the radar showed the storm to be increasing in size (see image). At 2037 UTC, a balloon was launched with… drumroll please… WIND! As per usual, the same instructions were followed therefore we believe there may be a possible fault in the instrument.
At about 2050 UTC, very light precipitation began. The precipitation was brief though small graupel was sighted. Temperature at that time was 9.1˙C with a humidity of 40%. For about an hour after, no precipitation was recorded. KES remained sunny with clouds over the west mountain. It was reported by our other team members (Juris and Lucia) that Barrier Lake was receiving rain.
Finally at 2200 UTC precipitation began at KES however, it was consistently very light. The precipitation appeared mixed with about 20% rain and 80% snow. Photographs were not possible at the time as temperatures remained above zero though aggregates and rimed dendrites can be seen.
At about 2300 UTC, Lucia came to the site to relieve me for a break. Before I left to my humble abode, we set up another balloon launch and this time we got… drumroll please… no wind. Sorry I got you excited [insert sad face]. Despite being by Lucia’s side and following the same procedure, no wind was achieved. As I arrived back at Barrier Lake, the precipitation intensity was noticeably heavier compared to KES.
Throughout Lucia’s shift, very light precipitation was reported. Temperatures plummeted quickly to 0˙C so team member Juris arrived at KES around 0130 UTC to help take snowflake photographs while Lucia took weather observations.
At 0215 UTC, Juris and Lucia launched a third balloon for the day. Unfortunately no wind was achieved again. By 0230 UTC, the radar began to clear and precipitation stopped over KES. At 0300 UTC our team shut down, packed up, and locked up the site!
A special thank you goes out to Melissa Cholette and Dominic Matte for forecasting this event for the KES crew!
Great job team!!
Field site participants – Juris, Lucia, and Ida
Instruments working – MRR, Parsivel, Geonor, weather station, and sounding system
- Ida Hung
I arrived at KES at about 2000 UTC though precipitation had not yet begun. The site remained sunny with many clouds over KES as well as the west and east mountains (donut hole). The PARSIVEL and timelapse camera were switched on as the radar showed the storm to be increasing in size (see image). At 2037 UTC, a balloon was launched with… drumroll please… WIND! As per usual, the same instructions were followed therefore we believe there may be a possible fault in the instrument.
At about 2050 UTC, very light precipitation began. The precipitation was brief though small graupel was sighted. Temperature at that time was 9.1˙C with a humidity of 40%. For about an hour after, no precipitation was recorded. KES remained sunny with clouds over the west mountain. It was reported by our other team members (Juris and Lucia) that Barrier Lake was receiving rain.
Finally at 2200 UTC precipitation began at KES however, it was consistently very light. The precipitation appeared mixed with about 20% rain and 80% snow. Photographs were not possible at the time as temperatures remained above zero though aggregates and rimed dendrites can be seen.
At about 2300 UTC, Lucia came to the site to relieve me for a break. Before I left to my humble abode, we set up another balloon launch and this time we got… drumroll please… no wind. Sorry I got you excited [insert sad face]. Despite being by Lucia’s side and following the same procedure, no wind was achieved. As I arrived back at Barrier Lake, the precipitation intensity was noticeably heavier compared to KES.
Throughout Lucia’s shift, very light precipitation was reported. Temperatures plummeted quickly to 0˙C so team member Juris arrived at KES around 0130 UTC to help take snowflake photographs while Lucia took weather observations.
At 0215 UTC, Juris and Lucia launched a third balloon for the day. Unfortunately no wind was achieved again. By 0230 UTC, the radar began to clear and precipitation stopped over KES. At 0300 UTC our team shut down, packed up, and locked up the site!
A special thank you goes out to Melissa Cholette and Dominic Matte for forecasting this event for the KES crew!
Great job team!!
Field site participants – Juris, Lucia, and Ida
Instruments working – MRR, Parsivel, Geonor, weather station, and sounding system
- Ida Hung