Item: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ICE FRAGMENTS IN CLOUDS AND PRECIPITATION PARTICLES DURING SNOW FALL EVENTS IN DEPENDENCY OF METEOROLOGICAL PARAMETERS – A CASE STUDY AT SONNBLICK OBSERVATORY, AUSTRIA
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Title: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ICE FRAGMENTS IN CLOUDS AND PRECIPITATION PARTICLES DURING SNOW FALL EVENTS IN DEPENDENCY OF METEOROLOGICAL PARAMETERS – A CASE STUDY AT SONNBLICK OBSERVATORY, AUSTRIA
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop 2024, Tromsø, Norway
Authors:
- Veronika Krieger [ GeoSphere Austria – Avalanche Warning Service Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria ]
- Anna Heuberger [ GeoSphere Austria – Avalanche Warning Service Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria ]
- Julia Burkart [ GeoSphere Austria – Sonnblick Observatory, Salzburg, Austria ]
- Elke Ludewig [ GeoSphere Austria – Sonnblick Observatory, Salzburg, Austria ]
Date: 2024-09-23
Abstract: The Sonnblick observatory is the highest observatory in Austria located on the peak of Rauriser Sonnblick at 3’106 m.s.l.. It is operated by Geosphere Austria, the national meteorological service of Austria. The observatory is equipped with a vast amount of measurement devices, related to meteorology, gases, aerosols and others. In addition to automated measurements, on-site observers deliver information about current snow and precipitation conditions on an hourly basis. Through this unique setup, we can explore possibilities in using long-term surveillance data from the observatory to forecast the type of precipitation particles reaching the snow surface and further test prospects to utilize the data in avalanche forecasting. As snow and ice is sensible to changes in temperature, humidity, evaporation and wind, the structure of the precipitation particles are expected to change within the cloud, in the atmosphere and from the moment they reach the snow surface. However, pictures of particles from the Observatory show that ice particles in clouds form distinct shapes such as dendrites, plates or needles, resembling new snow formations but at a smaller scale. Based on this observation, our research objective focuses on determining the extent to which ice formations in clouds provide structural information of precipitation particles reaching the snow surface. To investigate this objective, structural information of particles in a cloud are recorded using a measurement device (SwisensPoleno Jupiter) that provides holographic images. By comparing this information to standardized weather data and snow surface information from Sonnblick observers, we aim to test the predictability of precipitation particles from cloud particles. As a further step, the correlation between the well-accepted Nakaya snow crystal morphology diagram and cloud particles is assessed. In contrast to precipitation particles on the ground, particles in clouds are detected in a semi-automatic way at the Sonnblick Observatory. Therefore, knowledge about correlations between the original state of precipitation particles and their condition when they fall from the cloud can open up further research questions. A better understanding of new snow formations can be of benefit for avalanche forecasting as varying sizes and shapes of precipitation particles have a significant effect on the reactivity and duration of storm snow instabilities. With this case study we want to open up a discussion on further possible applications and analysis of the data in the field of snow metamorphism and avalanche forecasting.
Object ID: ISSW2024_P8.28.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Anna Heuberger
Keywords: snow crystals, crystal growth, holographic image, Nakaya diagram, in-cloud particles
Page Number(s): 1202 - 1209
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