How to determine it is snowing?

iisfaq · Unread post by **iisfaq** » Thu 02/06/2011 20:16

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 · Thu 02/06/2011 20:36

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 · Thu 02/06/2011 21:39

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 · Unread post by **Razor** » Thu 02/06/2011 23:18

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

Orion · Unread post by **Orion** » Fri 03/06/2011 08:11

Adding my welcome and thanks for the Quake site!

iisfaq · Unread post by **iisfaq** » Fri 03/06/2011 19:09

Manukau heads obs wrote: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 · Unread post by **iisfaq** » Fri 03/06/2011 19:10

Razor wrote: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 · Unread post by **iisfaq** » Fri 03/06/2011 19:12

NZ Thunderstorm Soc wrote: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 · Unread post by **iisfaq** » Fri 03/06/2011 19:13

Orion wrote:Adding my welcome and thanks for the Quake site!

Cheers

chris

iisfaq · Unread post by **iisfaq** » Fri 03/06/2011 20:31

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 · Fri 03/06/2011 21:18

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

Richard · Unread post by **Richard** » Fri 03/06/2011 22:00

Welcome from me also Chris

spwill · Unread post by **spwill** » Fri 03/06/2011 23:37

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

iisfaq · Unread post by **iisfaq** » Fri 03/06/2011 23:39

Manukau heads obs wrote: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 · Unread post by **iisfaq** » Fri 03/06/2011 23:40

Richard wrote:Welcome from me also Chris

Thanks Richard

I will try to be active as much as I can

Chris

Manukau heads obs · Sat 04/06/2011 07:16

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 · Unread post by **tgsnoopy** » Sat 04/06/2011 07:53

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

Manukau heads obs · Sat 04/06/2011 08:01

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 · Unread post by **snowstormwatcher** » Sat 04/06/2011 12:51

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 · Unread post by **Richard** » Sat 04/06/2011 23:37

snowstormwatcher wrote: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.

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