December 2nd storm heading NE

[Mike D]

Now, decoding the synoptics (6-hourly obs) is very advanced. Maybe Bill or Jim will give a lesson..

[Brad]

Now, decoding the synoptics (6-hourly obs) is very advanced. Maybe Bill or Jim will give a lesson..

The question is how long were those interns out there blowing snow?

[Steve M]

The question is how long were those interns out there blowing snow?

Yea, your not allowed to enhance your snowfall totals with a snow machine!

[bclark]

Now, decoding the synoptics (6-hourly obs) is very advanced. Maybe Bill or Jim will give a lesson..

From the latest synoptic METAR report:

METAR KMWN 032352Z 29019KT 1/2SM -SN DRSN FZFG VV002 M12/M12 WSHFT 47 VRY LGT ICG 60021 4/010 931045 11110 21125

In the remarks section, there is extra data not found on your typical hourly METAR report. This data is appropriately called additive data. On this report, it is as follows:

60021 4/010 931045 11110 21125


60021: 6 hour water equivalent in hundreths of inches. The 6 signifies the group, 0021 is 0.21 inches of water equivalent.

4/010: Snow depth in whole inches.. The 4 signifies the group, the 010 means a snow depth of 10 inches.

931045: 6 hour snowfall in tenths of inches. The 931 signifies the group, the 045 means that 4.5 inches of snow fell in the last six hours.

11110: 6 hour maximum temperature. The first 1 signifies the group, the next 1 means the temperature is below freezing (a 0 would signify an above freezing temperature), and the 110 is a temperature of 11.0 degrees Celsius. Actually -11.0 Celsius because of the second 1.

21125: 6 hour minimum temperature. The 2 signifies the group, the rest is the same as the 6 hour max temp. So this group means a 6 hour min of -12.5 Celsius.


There is also a 7 group that is reported at the 12Z (7 a.m.) synoptic and that is 24 hour water equivalent. For example, a 70034 was coded this morning meaning that 0.34 inches of water equivalent fell in the 24 hours previous to that report.

Hope that makes sense. It's bedtime for me...up early tomorrow to head to Sunday River to enjoy the new snow before starting another week of work on Wednesday.

[Mike D]

Yea, your not allowed to enhance your snowfall totals with a snow machine!

Perhaps there's a misunderstanding; "blowing snow" is something that happens. Shoveling snow is something that interns do. One often leads to the other.

[Steve M]

Perhaps there's a misunderstanding; "blowing snow" is something that happens. Shoveling snow is something that interns do. One often leads to the other.

I see, so the observers blow the snow, then the interns are required to shovel it...Doesn't sound fair to the intern

[Mike D]

I see, so the observers blow the snow, then the interns are required to shovel it...Doesn't sound fair to the intern

Fair?! They do it or they go to bed without supper.

[h2oeco]

From the latest synoptic METAR report:

METAR KMWN 032352Z 29019KT 1/2SM -SN DRSN FZFG VV002 M12/M12 WSHFT 47 VRY LGT ICG 60021 4/010 931045 11110 21125

In the remarks section, there is extra data not found on your typical hourly METAR report. This data is appropriately called additive data. On this report, it is as follows:

60021 4/010 931045 11110 21125.....

Thanks for the explanation Brian.

Ed

[Steve M]

Fair?! They do it or they go to bed without supper.

WOW...

Well, I still want to be an intern anyway!