Global Snowfall Partitioning Studies Using CloudSat Observations

A remote sensing-based snowfall dataset is compiled using multi-year observations from CloudSat's Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR). A global snowfall dataset is first analyzed using CloudSat's new 2C-SNOW-PROFILE product and compared to previous CloudSat-based snowfall retrieval methodologies to elucidate any systematic differences noted in certain regions indicative of underlying microphysical assumptions. Next, a method is developed to discern lake effect snow (LES) from other snowfall modes (e.g., synoptically-generated snowfall) using CloudSat and ancillary data products to comprise a global LES dataset. Five year mean LES statistics (e.g., frequency of occurrence, snowfall rates) and interannual variations will be noted. Finally, snowfall accumulation statistics are partitioned between lake effect and non-lake effect snowfall events to illustrate the importance of LES accumulations in certain locations. Hydrological implications will be discussed, as well as links to critical numerical modeling assessment activities. Coincident multi-frequency AMSR-E observations will also be used to assess typical LES radiometric signatures.