Department Seminar: Julia Shates

Title: Multi-measurement perspectives on precipitating cloud microphysics

Abstract: Cloud and precipitation microphysics are variable across environmental conditions and storm systems. They also have a demonstrated effect on weather forecast predictability of cold precipitation. Radar observations can be used to identify distinct precipitation regimes and characteristics linked to cloud and precipitation processes. Radar retrievals of clouds and precipitation rely on assumptions about the ice microphysical properties, which leads to uncertainty in quantification of precipitation at the surface. In-situ observations within clouds and at the surface tie remote sensing observations to the hydrometeor microphysical properties.

This presentation offers a multi-measurement perspective on exploring cold rain, snowfall, and ice clouds. Measurements include in-situ microphysics, and ground-based, space-based, and aircraft-based radar observations across various mid- and high-latitude regions including: Scandinavia, the Upper Great Lakes, the North Slope of Alaska, and the Southern Great Plains. The results highlight distinct snowfall regimes associated with different environmental conditions tied to synoptic scale forcing and temperature and moisture profiles. Ground-based radar observations reveal challenges in detecting near-surface snowfall and melting levels from spaceborne perspectives. Collocated in-situ ice cloud microphysics and radar observations are used with a forward model to test sensitivity to microphysical assumptions. In summary, combining in-situ and radar remote sensing provide insights to unique cloud and precipitation regimes, which offer a powerful constraint in retrieval development, and deepen our understanding of cloud and precipitation processes.