A 10-yr Climatology (1999-2009) on 4-dimensional Precipitation Characteristics Using Weather Radar Observations in the European Alps

该项目旨在提高我们对调节山区降水强度，分布和类型的过程的理解，以便更好地区分自然和气候变化相关的变化。该研究的重点是根据欧洲阿尔卑斯山内的高质量雷达测量数据，制定一个10年期的中强降水气候学。通过使用四维雷达观测，结合业务探测分析、全球定位系统（GPS）得出的水汽场、水汽卫星图像和欧洲中期天气预报中心（ECMWF）再分析图，该项目将i）分析降水的特征和四维结构，并确定时间-具有高度分化的气候条件的五个区域内降水的空间变化，ii）确定天气尺度大气环流和上游条件对降水特征的作用，以及iii）确定降水特征，大气环流，上游条件。此外，10年降水气候学将与雨量计和卫星观测结果以及瑞士阿尔卑斯山和世界其他山区的区域气候模型结果进行比较。这项研究将促进有关降水变化与天气和气候的知识。该项目的更广泛影响包括：（i）通过监测降水和估计降水特征的变化，了解降水强度、频率和雪雨分布的潜在变化，作为决策者和气候研究人员评估各种未来气候情景的重要工具;（ii）培训一名研究生，以及（iii）在会议和参考文献中广泛传播结果和调查结果。首席研究员将把研究结果纳入大学教学课程，并作为外联工作的一部分，向非研究界发表演讲。

This project seeks to improve our understanding of the processes that modulate precipitation intensity, distribution, and type in mountainous regions in order to better distinguish between natural and climate change related variations. The research focuses on developing a 10-year climatology of moderate and heavy precipitation based on high-quality radar measurements within the European Alps. Through the use of four-dimensional radar observations in conjunction with operational sounding analysis, Global Positioning System (GPS) derived water vapor fields, water vapor satellite images, and European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) reanalysis maps, the project will i) analyze the characteristics and four-dimensional structure of precipitation as well as determine time-space variations of precipitation within five regions with highly differentiated climate conditions, ii) determine the role of synoptic-scale atmospheric circulation and upstream conditions on the precipitation characteristics, and iii) determine seasonal and annual variability of precipitation characteristics, atmospheric circulation, and upstream conditions. Furthermore, the 10-yr precipitation climatology will be compared to rain-gauge and satellite observations, and regional climate model results for the Swiss Alps and other mountain areas around the World. The research will advance the knowledge about precipitation variations related to weather and climate. The broader impacts of this project includes (i) the understanding of potential changes in precipitation intensity, frequency, and snow-rain distribution by monitoring precipitation and estimating changes in precipitation characteristics as being an important tool for policy makers and climate researchers to assess various future climate scenarios, (ii) the training of a graduate student, and (iii) wide dissemination of results and findings in conferences and refereed literature. The principal investigator will include the results into the university teaching curriculum and will give talks to non-research community as part of outreach efforts.