Aircraft Deicing at Albany International Airport: A Microwave Radiometer Case Study

Albany, NY faces daily challenges in weather forecasting due to its complex topography, which often leads to inaccuracies in large-scale forecast models, especially for winter storms. Accurately forecasting and nowcasting winter storms is essential for safety and cost efficiency at airports across the United States. The study focuses on Albany International Airport (AIA), where the Radiometrics MP-3000A profiling microwave radiometer is used to monitor atmospheric conditions, particularly during two events involving elevated super-cooled liquid (January 23rd/24th) and frozen precipitation (January 24th/25th). This all-weather sensor provides real-time data every 2 minutes, making it highly effective for accurate local atmospheric analysis. The first case study on January 23, 2024, highlights the radiometer's ability to detect mixed-phase clouds aloft, indicating potential icing risks even without surface precipitation, thus aiding in safer and more efficient deicing decisions. The second case study on January 24, 2024, demonstrates its effectiveness in identifying freezing conditions and precipitation that were missed by METAR observations, enhancing tarmac efficiency and improving forecasting through temperature trend analysis.