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Understanding the Vertical Slope of Mesoscale Snow Band Reflectivity SignaturesMesoscale snow bands are frequently responsible for dumping large amounts of snow over a relatively small region and pose a considerable forecasting challenge. The ongoing NASA Investigation of Microphysics and Precipitation for Atlantic Coast-Threatening Snowstorms (IMPACTS) field campaign observed several instances of mesoscale snow bands during January and February of 2020 and 2022. These snow bands were sampled by a combination of airborne (NASA ER-2 and P-3) and ground-based remote sensing and in-situ instruments.
Along-band cross sections of these snow bands reveal that many of them are vertically sloped. Our preliminary analysis into one of these snow bands suggests that the vertical slope is not maintained by isentropic lift and does not appear to be tied to horizontal deformation. A combined analysis of the reflectivity and wind retrievals from the ER-2 radars raises the possibility that these features could be produced by vertical wind shear layers deforming fall streaks into bands that extend hundreds of kilometers. The present study will focus on extending our preliminary analysis to additional cases and understanding the mechanisms that support these features using a combination of radar data, in-situ aircraft measurements, and numerical modeling.
Document ID
20230008321
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Presentation
Authors
Charles Helms
(University of Maryland, College Park College Park, Maryland, United States)
Gerald Heymsfield
(Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Maryland, United States)
Stephen Nicholls
(Science Systems & Applications, Inc. Hampton, VA, USA)
Date Acquired
May 30, 2023
Subject Category
Geosciences (General)
Earth Resources and Remote Sensing
Meeting Information
Meeting: AGU Fall Meeting 2022
Location: Chicago, IL
Country: US
Start Date: December 12, 2022
End Date: December 16, 2022
Sponsors: American Geophysical Union
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: 80NSSC23M0011
WBS: 767224
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNG17HP01C
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Use by or on behalf of the US Gov. Permitted.
Technical Review
External Peer Committee
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