Nowcasting for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games using Remote Sensing Tools

To support forecasting operations during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Environment Canada has enhanced its observing network along the Sea-to-Sky corridor (Highway 99 in British Columbia). High winds, reduced visibility and mixed-phase precipitation are some of the forecasting challenges for the Games venues, all enhanced by the complex terrain conditions.

Remote sensing, by weather radar, wind profilers and microwave profiling radiometer will provide key measurements. The objective here is to demonstrate that these instruments will enhance the nowcasting of winter weather over complex terrain.

A dedicated weather radar will be located in the valley. Blockage maps and range-to-terrain elevation angle versus azimuth plots will be presented to demonstrate the sitting strategy. This weather radar will be able to see into the main valleys.

Profiles of radiometer observations of relative humidity, of cloud liquid water content, and of temperature will facilitate monitoring the growth and depletion of ice particles and supercooled droplets in winter environments. This analysis leads to a technique for nowcasting precipitation phase.

A wind profiler was located upstream of the Olympic venues, at the junction of three valleys. Climatological analysis of these wind profiler observations provide insight on the topographic influence over the local winds.

In conclusion, the study describes several novel remote-sensing techniques for winter weather in complex terrain. These techniques now need to be tested in an operational context.