How to determine it is snowing?

[iisfaq]

How can you determine it is snowing (without looking)

I am writing my own weather station software and I am wondering if there is any data available to determine that it is snowing, and how about sleet?

any ideas appreciated

Chris
http://weather.crowe.co.nz

[Manukau heads obs]

I like the weather data presentation, well done

re snow, it does depend a bit on the dew point, and not just the temperature
also if using a heated rain gauge that melts snow then it can still be recorded, but logged as snow if the temperature is below say 2C

[NZ Thunderstorm Soc]

Welcome to the forum, Chris.
Yes. I find that if it is raining and the air temperature drops below 2C then the likelyhood of any precipitation would be either sleet or snow from that point downwards.

JohnGaul
NZThS

[Razor]

Indeed Chris welcome to the forum...and well done on the quake site!

[Orion]

Adding my welcome and thanks for the Quake site!

[iisfaq]

I like the weather data presentation, well done

re snow, it does depend a bit on the dew point, and not just the temperature
also if using a heated rain gauge that melts snow then it can still be recorded, but logged as snow if the temperature is below say 2C

Hi Brian

Thanks for the reply - I was sure I replied last night but it is now showing up.

I know (well I think I do) on your software it can display snowing - is this a calculation you do yourself or is this a value read from the Davis Vantage Pro II?

chris

[iisfaq]

Indeed Chris welcome to the forum...and well done on the quake site!

Thanks - The quake site is getting a bit quieter due to the reducing quakes but we never know when anothe one will visit.

Incase anyone is interested see http://quake.crowe.co.nz

[iisfaq]

Welcome to the forum, Chris.
Yes. I find that if it is raining and the air temperature drops below 2C then the likelyhood of any precipitation would be either sleet or snow from that point downwards.

Thanks - I found a site that gives a formula so I will work on that and see what shows up - it will be interesting even though Christchurch hardly gets snow ever.

If the data works I will post back

Chris

[iisfaq]

Adding my welcome and thanks for the Quake site!

Cheers

chris

[iisfaq]

I have had a hunt aorund the Internet and found an interesting formula but I am not sure how to test it and convert it to c#

http://www.sciencebits.com/SnowAboveFreezing

Any ideas appreciated

Chris

[Manukau heads obs]

Hi
the WD software reports rain as snow if the temperature and also dew point (optional) below a user set threshold

[Richard]

Welcome from me also Chris

[spwill]

When temperatures are approaching 0C the heavier precpitation is more likely to be snow so perhaps another factor to consider.

[iisfaq]

Hi
the WD software reports rain as snow if the temperature and also dew point (optional) below a user set threshold

Good to know Brian - thanks for letting me know

What are your defaults?

2c ? for Temp, and ? for dewpoint?

Cheers

Chris

[iisfaq]

Welcome from me also Chris

Thanks Richard

I will try to be active as much as I can

Chris

[Manukau heads obs]

WD has 2 things, snow and sleet, and a temperature setting for each
there is an option to let the dew point fine the snow (i.e the dew point needs to be less than 0.8C)

[tgsnoopy]

Out of curiosity, does Altitude & Latitude figure in the equation?

[Manukau heads obs]

no...if you live at altitude, then your temperature will be lower,and so more chance its below the snow threashold, thats all, for the equation in question
yes/no?

[snowstormwatcher]

Welcome Chris and great website.

Quite often here there will be heavy snow falling and as soon as the precpitation becomes lighter it will turn to rain or sleet even if the temperature is still around 0 degrees.

[Richard]

Welcome Chris and great website.

Quite often here there will be heavy snow falling and as soon as the precpitation becomes lighter it will turn to rain or sleet even if the temperature is still around 0 degrees.

Yes yes,ive spent years working in the South Island high country during winter and that is what ive noticed also,drizzle snow needs to be about 0deg and lower to settle where large flakes 2 deg and lower to settle.