The Development of Quantitative Relationships between Orographic Precipitation and Air-Mass Parameters for Use in Forecasting and Cloud Seeding Evaluation

Abstract

The physical basis for a relationship between orographic precipitation and air-mass characteristics, wind flow pattern and gross terrain features is outlined. Consideration is also given to the manner in which the precipitation falls from cloud and is caught in a rain gage. A model is developed which is employed in conjunction with numerous storm sounding data to establish semi-empirical relationships between precipitation at four mountain stations in Southern California and upwind air-mass characteristics. The sounding sites were several hours upwind of the mountain stations. This arrangement makes it possible to employ the relationships established for short term quantitative precipitation forecast purposes as well as for cloud seeding evaluation. It is believed that the general method employed is applicable in other climatic zones.