Fifteenth webinar of the series entitled "Advancement of knowledge on the measurement of solid precipitation"
See the presentation (PDF, 1 195 Ko) » [in French]
Speaker: Prof. Julie M. Thériault, UQÀM, regular member of CentrEau
Language: French, with slides in French
Summary: Accurate measurement of snowfall is difficult because it depends on several factors related to the types of gauge used, weather conditions and microphysics of precipitation. Solid precipitation is often underestimated due to the formation of vertical air movement upstream of the gauges. This ascending airflow deflects the path of the precipitation particles, which leads to an under-capture of the precipitation. A shield is often used around the gauges to counter this problem and reduces the speed of the updraft without eliminating it.
The purpose of this presentation is to show what impact the type of snowflake has on the capture of solid precipitation, make the link with the particle fall velocities and show that a new type of sensor, the "hotplate", improves the measurement of snowfall. To do this we use a combination of numerical simulations and measurements in the field, including measurements of solid precipitation averaged over 30 min, particle fall rates of precipitation using an optical disdrometer, recorded at the Marshall site. , Boulder, Colorado during the WMO SPICE measurement campaign. The study, therefore, proposes new techniques and methods allowing more precise measurements of solid precipitation.
To come
New series of weekly CentrEau webinars "all about water management". These short 20-minute presentations will be offered live every Thursday at 1 p.m. followed by a short discussion period. CentrEau professors and researchers, as well as guest speakers, will present their research work and its importance in a semi-popularized manner.
Watch the previous webinars on our YouTube Channel!
