Third IOP of HMT-West 2008 Has Begun

The second intensive operating period (IOP #2) of HMT-West 2008 is complete, including up to 3 inches of liquid equivalent and over 1 foot of snow in the HMT Sierra Mountain sites, as well as rain totals in excess of 3 inches in the coastal mountains. The HMT-developed water vapor flux tool is shown in the figure for the coastal couplet of Bodega Bay (BBY) & Cazadero (CZD). This figure highlights the close correlation between the downstream mountain rainfall at Cazadero and the horizontal water vapor transport ("IWV flux") derived from simultaneous wind profiler and GPS-met water vapor data at Bodega Bay. It also highlights that the onset and cessation of precipitation corresponded well with the time period in which the integrated water vapor exceeded 2 cm, a key threshold for precipitation. You can learn more about the water vapor flux tool in the conference reprint.

This figure also highlights another product developed in the HMT – the snow level product. The elevation which forms the boundary between rain and snow is a critical parameter that is factored into stream flow predictions, and can even dictate as to whether or not a flood warning should be issued. More information on this concept can be found in the research paper.

Image: HMT-developed water vapor flux tool for the coastal couplet of Bodega Bay (BBY) & Cazadero (CZD).