Determination of a Z-R relationship for snowfall using a radar and high sensitivity snow gauges

Abstract

A best-fit power-law relationship (Z=427R1.09) between 1-minute integrated averages of snowfall rate (R) and radar reflectivity factor (Z) was determined on the basis of observations made by using high sensitivity snow gauges (accuracy 0.03mm h-1) and a radar (wavelength 3.2cm, beamwidth 1.1°) of 3 1987 Sapporo snowstorms. The relationship Z=554R0.88, using 30-minute integrated averages of Z and R, produced the best radar estimate of total snowfall. The ratio of the estimated to the observed amount of snowfall decreased with increasing density of new fallen snow ρ, the ratio roughly equaling 1, when ρ≃0.05g cm-3. -Authors