Application of a Comprehensive Bias-Correction Model to Precipitation Measured at Russian North Pole Drifting Stations

Abstract

An improved bias correction is applied to daily precipitation measured at Russian North Pole drifting stations during the period from the early 1950s through 1990. The bias-correction method is based on a model accounting for all main systematic errors of precipitation measurement by means of the standard Tretyakov gauge, namely: aerodynamic error; joint effect of wetting, evaporation, and condensation at the gauge collector interior; trace precipitation; and the effect of ?false? precipitation due to blowing snow flux into the gauge. The bias-corrected annual precipitation averaged over the entire period and all drifting stations amounts to 165 mm, which is 28% higher than the measured value. Large errors induced by strong winds are to a certain extent compensated by the false precipitation, the amount of which increases with the wind speed and blizzard duration. Annual mean false precipitation comprises 30% of the total measured precipitation. The validity of the obtained bias-corrected estimates, both for the cold season (solid precipitation only) and for the entire year, is supported by a comparison against estimates of the snow water equivalent (SWE) at the drifting stations.