Comparisons of Modeled and Observed Reflectivities and Fall Speeds for Snowfall of Varied Riming Degrees during Winter Storms on Long Island, New York

Abstract

erived radar reflectivities and fall speeds for four Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model bulk microphysical parameterizations (BMPs) run at 1.33-km grid spacing are compared with ground-based, vertically pointing Ku-band radar, scanning S-band radar, and in situ measurements at Stony Brook, New York. Simulations were partitioned into periods of observed riming degree as determined manually using a stereo microscope and camera during nine winter storms. Simulations were examined to determine whether the selected BMPs captured the effects of varying riming intensities, provided a reasonable match to the vertical structure of radar reflectivity or fall speed, and whether they produced reasonable surface fall speed distributions. Schemes assuming nonspherical mass?diameter relationships yielded reflectivity distributions closer to observed values. All four schemes examined in this study provided a better match to the observed, vertical structure of reflectivity during moderate riming than light riming periods. The comparison of observed and simulated snowfall speeds had mixed results. One BMP produced episodes of excessive cloud water at times, resulting in fall speeds that were too large. However, most schemes had frequent periods of little or no cloud water during moderate riming periods and thus underpredicted the snowfall speeds at lower levels. Short, 1?4-h periods with relatively steady snow conditions were used to compare BMP and observed size and fall speed distributions. These limited data suggest the examined BMPs underpredict fall speeds of cold-type snow habits and underrepresent aggregates larger than 4-mm diameter.