Ice Crystal Processes in Colorado Upslope Snowstorms. Article I. Case Study of an 'Upslope' Snowstorm

摘要

The general purpose of experiments during December 1979 was to measure the structure and cloud physics characteristics of the lower atmosphere during 'up-slope' circulations. In these, low-level air moving westward and upward over the high plains toward the Colorado front range is presumed to induce snowfall or ice deposit on the ground. A cyclonic event occurred in the last week of December, and aircraft missions were flown on 27 December when the storm was at its height east of the mountains. The synoptic system was an upper-level cold low advancing at an average speed from southwest into southern Colorado. On the forward side, mesoscale waves appeared to form along the cold front; one of these was crossed by the aircraft. Maximum concentrations of liquid water, turbulence, and shift in thermal advective pattern was found there.