Multiscale Model to Model Cloud Compare method

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Method synopsis

Integration of ground-based GPR, manual measurements, and airborne sensors for comprehensive snow property mapping. Combines high-precision point measurements with spatially extensive remote sensing data.

Synthesized from method descriptions across 11 papers using this protocol.

Procedure as described in the canonical source

Steps below were extracted from the paper that introduces this protocol — Riming-dependent snowfall rate and ice water content retrievals for W-band cloud radar (2025), Atmospheric Measurement Techniques. Implementations in other papers (listed below) may differ.

1. Retrieve normalized rime mass from VISSS data
   Normalized rime mass M was retrieved using optimal estimation with pyOptimalEstimation Python library. The method derives M from colocated particle size distributions and radar reflectivity based on observed in situ PSD and comparing to matched, observed Ze. Particle mass m(Dmax) was approximated by a power law relation with prefactor am and exponent bm using riming-dependent mass-size parameters that were estimated for different degrees of riming.
   Quantities: Time series of M values, mass-size parameters am and bmDuration: Applied to full dataset periodConditions: 100 s averaging windows corresponding to spatial distance of about 1 km
   Equipment: pyOptimalEstimation Python library, PAMTRA radiative transfer tool
2. Calculate reference IWC and SR from VISSS observations
   IWC was calculated by summing the product of ice particle mass m(Dmax) and VISSS-observed N(Dmax) from lower to upper size ranges. SR was calculated by summing the product of ice particle mass m(Dmax), VISSS-observed N(Dmax), and VISSS-observed particle sedimentation velocity v(Dmax) from lower to upper size ranges. Size bins were from Dlower to Dupper with bin width ΔDmax.
   Quantities: IWC in kg m⁻³, SR in mm h⁻¹, particle size bins from Dlower to DupperDuration: Calculated for each time step of observationsConditions: Based on VISSS particle observations at ground level
   Equipment: VISSS particle size and velocity measurements

Typical Equipment

• ground-penetrating radar systems
• snow probes
• density measurement tools
• airborne lidar systems
• airborne radar systems

Output Measurements

• snow depth
• snow density
• snow water equivalent
• spatial snow distribution

Papers Using This Protocol (11)

Species Studied With This Protocol

Places Where Used