The Melting Effect as a Factor in Precipitation Type Forecasting

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The Melting Effect as a Factor in Precipitation Type Forecasting – WAF 2000

Cooling starts at the melting level then lowers toward the ground.
Can suppress the melting level 1 to 3 km below its initial elevation.
Temperatures typically fall to freezing, but do not fall below freezing.
Amount of melting is directly proportional to precipitation rate.
Produces isothermal layers when other temperature changing effects are weak.
Primary factor when other factors are weak (temperature advection, vertical motion, other diabatic effects).

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Speaker Notes:

Since neither temperature advection or vertical motion seemed to be playing a large role in the cooling required to lower snow levels in these two cases, let's consider the effect of cooling due to melting. Cooling due to melting can play a significant role in reducing temperatures when the effects of temperature advection and vertical motion are weak.

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