Ice, snow, sondes and dual-pol: Some results of winter weather observations with the Valparaiso University dual-polarization radar

The undergraduate meteorology program at Valparaiso University (Valpo) in northwest Indiana encourages their students to scientifically explore and understand all types of atmospheric phenomena. A partnership between Valpo and MIT Lincoln Laboratory (LL) in support of FAA-sponsored research into winter and convective aviation weather systems has funded several Valpo student interns, radiosonde launches, and active hydrometeor observations. In addition, a local version of the WRF is used by students to forecast and study winter weather events.

Several significant lake-effect snow events and a major winter storm were observed by the Valpo radar. Results from the dual-pol view of these winter storms will be presented, alongside the sounding data launched by the students from the Valpo campus and the synoptic background flow for the events. The results from studies using the local WRF of one lake-effect event will also be presented.