Our group (Emilie P, Paul & Juris) was well prepared, forecasting the event the evening before. After our conference call with the rest of the group we quickly prepared for a full day and night of observations, snowflake photography and weather balloon launching. Environment Canada had a snowfall warning for Southern Alberta in effect. We arrived on site at 1620 UTC. Temperatures when we first arrived were around 1 C and rose to 3 C during the afternoon. During this time snowflake photography was difficult as snow was melting upon contact on the collection pad. Later in the day when temperatures dropped, many dendritic snowflakes were observed, and at times particles were rimed.
Emilie P. and myself made the trip up to Fortress mountain to conduct a carsonde and take some snowflake pictures, where mainly aggregated dendritic snowflakes were observed.
Five weather balloons were launched during the event 18 UTC, 21 UTC, 00 UTC, 03 UTC and 06 UTC, respectively. Problems arose with the 00 UTC sounding as the computer had arbitrarily shutdown during the sounding. Thankfully, Paul was able to retrieve the data up to around 200 hPa, prior to the shutdown.
We came across an issue with the MRR dish as we found some ice buildup at 0055 UTC, during one of our routine sweeps and was noted in the log book. However, before leaving the site, we noticed that there was no longer ice on the dish. The issue was brought up to the rest of the team and we have decided to use rubbing alcohol or anti-freeze solution if this were to occur again.
Looking at the radar during the event, it appeared that the brunt of the storm hit southeast of KES around Lethbridge and further south. Although the event was not as big as we were expecting, with ~ 5 cm accumulation, the event was still successful, with all instruments running, good observations and pictures. Just a few hiccups along the way, as is expected with field work!
We left KES at 0740 UTC after the radar returns were free of precipitation and looked to be dissipating in the vicinity.
Paul, Emilie and Juris performed field duties during this event
- Juris Almonte
Emilie P. and myself made the trip up to Fortress mountain to conduct a carsonde and take some snowflake pictures, where mainly aggregated dendritic snowflakes were observed.
Five weather balloons were launched during the event 18 UTC, 21 UTC, 00 UTC, 03 UTC and 06 UTC, respectively. Problems arose with the 00 UTC sounding as the computer had arbitrarily shutdown during the sounding. Thankfully, Paul was able to retrieve the data up to around 200 hPa, prior to the shutdown.
We came across an issue with the MRR dish as we found some ice buildup at 0055 UTC, during one of our routine sweeps and was noted in the log book. However, before leaving the site, we noticed that there was no longer ice on the dish. The issue was brought up to the rest of the team and we have decided to use rubbing alcohol or anti-freeze solution if this were to occur again.
Looking at the radar during the event, it appeared that the brunt of the storm hit southeast of KES around Lethbridge and further south. Although the event was not as big as we were expecting, with ~ 5 cm accumulation, the event was still successful, with all instruments running, good observations and pictures. Just a few hiccups along the way, as is expected with field work!
We left KES at 0740 UTC after the radar returns were free of precipitation and looked to be dissipating in the vicinity.
Paul, Emilie and Juris performed field duties during this event
- Juris Almonte
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