A Real-Time Online Data Product that Automatically Detects Easterly Gap-Flow Events and Precipitation Type in the Columbia River Gorge
Abstract
A real-time, hourly updated, online graphical data product that displays the depth and strength of easterly gap flow in the Columbia River Gorge using a 915-MHz Doppler wind profiler is presented. During precipitation events, this data product also displays observed precipitation accumulation and diagnosed precipitation type using measurements provided by a collocated heated tipping-bucket rain gauge, an optical disdrometer, and temperature and relative humidity sensors. Automated algorithms that determine the existence and depth of the gap flow, as well as precipitation type, are described. The Columbia River Gorge is the only major gap in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington. Consequently, both easterly and westerly directed gap-flow events are common in this region. Especially during late autumn and winter, easterly gap flow can cause hazardous and damaging weather (e.g., snow, freezing rain, and strong winds) in the Portland, Oregon–Vancouver, Washington metropolitan area. The product described here was developed to help forecasters at the Portland National Weather Service Forecast Office monitor cool-season easterly gap-flow events in order to provide situational awareness and guide warnings to the public about potential weather-related hazards.
- Authors:
-
- NOAA/Earth System Research Laboratory/Physical Sciences Division, Boulder, Colorado
- NOAA/National Weather Service Forecast Office, Portland, Oregon
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Silver Spring, MD (United States). Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1477808
- Alternate Identifier(s):
- OSTI ID: 1614612
- Grant/Contract Number:
- EE007605; EE0007605
- Resource Type:
- Published Article
- Journal Name:
- Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Name: Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology Journal Volume: 35 Journal Issue: 10; Journal ID: ISSN 0739-0572
- Publisher:
- American Meteorological Society
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 42 ENGINEERING; Engineering; Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences; Channel flows; Freezing precipitation; Orographic effects; Algorithms; Wind profilers; Nowcasting
Citation Formats
Neiman, Paul J., Gottas, Daniel J., White, Allen B., Schneider, William R., and Bright, David R. A Real-Time Online Data Product that Automatically Detects Easterly Gap-Flow Events and Precipitation Type in the Columbia River Gorge. United States: N. p., 2018.
Web. doi:10.1175/JTECH-D-18-0088.1.
Neiman, Paul J., Gottas, Daniel J., White, Allen B., Schneider, William R., & Bright, David R. A Real-Time Online Data Product that Automatically Detects Easterly Gap-Flow Events and Precipitation Type in the Columbia River Gorge. United States. https://doi.org/10.1175/JTECH-D-18-0088.1
Neiman, Paul J., Gottas, Daniel J., White, Allen B., Schneider, William R., and Bright, David R. Mon .
"A Real-Time Online Data Product that Automatically Detects Easterly Gap-Flow Events and Precipitation Type in the Columbia River Gorge". United States. https://doi.org/10.1175/JTECH-D-18-0088.1.
@article{osti_1477808,
title = {A Real-Time Online Data Product that Automatically Detects Easterly Gap-Flow Events and Precipitation Type in the Columbia River Gorge},
author = {Neiman, Paul J. and Gottas, Daniel J. and White, Allen B. and Schneider, William R. and Bright, David R.},
abstractNote = {A real-time, hourly updated, online graphical data product that displays the depth and strength of easterly gap flow in the Columbia River Gorge using a 915-MHz Doppler wind profiler is presented. During precipitation events, this data product also displays observed precipitation accumulation and diagnosed precipitation type using measurements provided by a collocated heated tipping-bucket rain gauge, an optical disdrometer, and temperature and relative humidity sensors. Automated algorithms that determine the existence and depth of the gap flow, as well as precipitation type, are described. The Columbia River Gorge is the only major gap in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington. Consequently, both easterly and westerly directed gap-flow events are common in this region. Especially during late autumn and winter, easterly gap flow can cause hazardous and damaging weather (e.g., snow, freezing rain, and strong winds) in the Portland, Oregon–Vancouver, Washington metropolitan area. The product described here was developed to help forecasters at the Portland National Weather Service Forecast Office monitor cool-season easterly gap-flow events in order to provide situational awareness and guide warnings to the public about potential weather-related hazards.},
doi = {10.1175/JTECH-D-18-0088.1},
journal = {Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology},
number = 10,
volume = 35,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2018},
month = {Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2018}
}
https://doi.org/10.1175/JTECH-D-18-0088.1
Web of Science
Works referencing / citing this record:
The Hydrometeorology Testbed–West Legacy Observing Network: Supporting Research to Applications for Atmospheric Rivers and Beyond
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- Ray, Andrea J.; White, Allen B.
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- Bianco, Laura; Djalalova, Irina V.; Wilczak, James M.
- Geoscientific Model Development, Vol. 12, Issue 11