WMO Solid Precipitation Inter-Comparison Experiment

The NCAR Marshall Field research site has been operating for over ten years as a test bed to assess various solid precipitation measurement techniques. This joint collaboration between the NOAA U.S. Climate Reference Network, NCAR, National Weather Service, and FAA tests and evaluates new gauges, wind shields and other solid precipitation measurement techniques. With the vast array of instrumentation and testing that is ongoing, the Marshall facility has been selected as the primary U.S. site to participate in the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Solid Precipitation Inter-Comparison Experiment (SPICE). This global study will focus on the ability to measure solid precipitation accurately as well as quantify and define achievable thresholds and accuracies. The major experimental objectives are:

1) Improve the understanding of the performance of various solid precipitation gauge/shield configuration

2) Develop transfer functions between the various solid precipitation gauge configurations to improve liquid water equivalent snowfall estimates in support of real-time applications, hydrological models, and data continuity in the climate record

3) Define a field standard for automated solid precipitation gauges

Results to date will be presented along with the latest plans for WMO-SPICE.