On Sunday (March 15) between 17 UTC and 18 UTC, snow began at KES and continued well beyond 04 UTC on Monday (March 16). At the start of precipitation, temperatures were within one degree above 0°C, and by the end of the period of snow, temperatures were approximately -2°C. Winds at the site were generally light, < 15 km/h out of the northeast. Radar reflectivity values were 20-25 dBZ over the site during the peak of the event. Approximately 10 cm of snow fell over the site during the event, with a snow density of approximately 9:1 (snow-to-liquid). Some useful snowflake photos were obtained, particularly after the camera settings were optimized. Hexagonal and other plates were some of the varieties photographed, and there was some riming present.
Most of the instruments were not operational during the event. The Micro Rain Radar (MRR) had a 2-5 cm layer of wet snow on the dish, which spoiled the data. (Must find a way to clear the dish!) Weather balloons were also not ready for launch.
Some imagery are posted below (from left to right, top to bottom): infrared satellite data from 00 UTC on March 16, upper air analyses from 00 UTC on March 16, surface analysis from 00 UTC on March 16, and Strathmore radar snow precipitation imagery from 01 UTC on March 16.
Ida, Juris, and Stephen performed field duties during this event.
Instruments working during that event: MRR (but not leveled), Parsivel (until 9 MDT), manual obs and snow photos.
- Stephen Berg
Most of the instruments were not operational during the event. The Micro Rain Radar (MRR) had a 2-5 cm layer of wet snow on the dish, which spoiled the data. (Must find a way to clear the dish!) Weather balloons were also not ready for launch.
Some imagery are posted below (from left to right, top to bottom): infrared satellite data from 00 UTC on March 16, upper air analyses from 00 UTC on March 16, surface analysis from 00 UTC on March 16, and Strathmore radar snow precipitation imagery from 01 UTC on March 16.
Ida, Juris, and Stephen performed field duties during this event.
Instruments working during that event: MRR (but not leveled), Parsivel (until 9 MDT), manual obs and snow photos.
- Stephen Berg