1. Poor Forecasts
The new GFS model really handled last night's and today's event quite poorly. The 72 hour forecast valid at 1200 UTC (0500 MST) this morning called for precipitation to be confined to southern Utah, reaching no farther north than Provo.
Instead, the 1201 UTC radar imagery shows precipitation all the way into southern Idaho.
Although we can't share the Euro forecasts here, they definitely did better on location.
On the plus side, Alta-Collins has picked up 4 inches of snow, so maybe we shouldn't complain.
2. Wintery Mix
Freezing rain doesn't happen a lot around here, but there was a period of it last night at the airport where light to moderate freezing rain was reported from 10:04 PM to 12:25 AM when the precipitation changed to rain. Freezing rain is rain that freezes upon contact with the ground or solid objects. It can occur when the airmass aloft is above 0˚C, which results in the melting of precipitation falling form aloft, but there is a shallow layer near the ground below 0˚C or the ground is frozen.
This morning's sounding shows a deep layer from the surface to 780 mb (7000 ft) in which temperatures are at or just above freezing. Snow falling from aloft in such a layer will begin to melt, transitioning to wet snow, slush, or rain. Given that temperatures in the layer are barely above freezing, there can be a lot of variability spatially or with time in the precipitation type at the surface depending on the precipitation intensity and the size and type of snowflakes falling from aloft.
Overnight at the airport, precipitation fell as rain, but ground temperatures were apparently low enough for that precipitation to freeze on contact.
3. Ongoing Misery
Although we've had some rain and the strength of the inversion has weakened some, PM2.5 levels remain in the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" category. The DAQ sensor at Hawthorne Elementary peaked yesterday at 64 ug/m3. At 7 AM this morning we've dropped to 41, which is still high.
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| Source: DAQ |
Fog and low clouds are now blanketing much of the Salt Lake Valley. Yeah, it's depressing. Sadly, we're probably stuck with this through at least tomorrow, then we'll see what the new storm system does over the weekend.
Why can you not share the Euro models here? Copyright/legal issues?
ReplyDeleteYes.
DeleteWhile the US National Weather Service freely distributes a tremendous volume of observational and forecast data, the ECMWF does not. Here's the gory details of their license to use options:
https://www.ecmwf.int/en/forecasts/accessing-forecasts/licences-available
The cheapest option for looking at their data is to pay for a subscription to a web site that provides their products.
As a researcher, I cannot access the real-time ECMWF forecasts, but they do provide access to an archive of them. ECMWF is actually really helpful and great to work with when it comes to research.
Jim
I thought the ECMWF had recently amended their license to allow sharing?
DeleteWindy.com has a nice presentation of the various models' forecasts. While it's missing the technical data, it makes it simple for an amateur like me to see when the models agree.
DeleteGreat stuff, Jim. Thanks. Would love to see a post on reliable PM sensors in the valley. You had a post in 2017 on how Hawthorne was the only one certain agencies were relying on. Would love thoughts on PurpleAir monitors and how they’re playing a role in local research / policy (or not). Very intrigued how they’re democratizing AQ measurement.
ReplyDeleteThe PurpleAir sensors are inexpensive and provide spatial detail, but absolute accuracy can sometimes be poor, especially when humidity is high.
DeleteI still believe the DAQ sensors are the most reliable in the valley. There just aren't many available in real time.
Jim
Jim, as long as you are not making revenue on this site, you are now allowed to share ECMWF products. Their policy change went into effect early in November.
ReplyDelete