Figure 3 is the AWC's graphic presentation of the forecast lowest
freezing level, an important data point.
With unstable conditions from cold air advection at 10,000 feet, clouds were crowded along the higher peaks, with bases at 7500 feet and a
freezing level at 8500 feet.
Stronger thunderstorms, lower
freezing levels, and higher ground elevations all play a role.
Hail is produced in the cold, high regions of the storm, but once it falls beneath the
freezing level (typically between 7,000' and 15,000' AGL, depending on location and season), it starts to melt.
He explained that the punch hole cloud was formed when the water temperature in the cloud reached below
freezing level but the water did not freeze as it had a lack of ice nucleation particles.
Any failure in the monotonicity assumption for temperature with height is a significant issue with HCA in winter weather because the HCA depends upon the existence of only one
freezing level through which precipitation falls.
Now the upper extent of the cloud is far above the
freezing level, the duration of the water droplets at this height and its cold temperatures ensures rapid sublimation to ice.
The weather changes quickly and the
freezing level can drop down to as low as 1,500 feet in the spring.
Since temperatures in catchment areas have already reached at
freezing level so no significant improvements in the reservoirs is expected during coming weeks.
In such clouds, warm rain processes act below the
freezing level (the height at which the temperature is at 0[degrees]C), but ice particles are also initiated above the
freezing level that interact with the supercooled liquid cloud droplets in a variety of ways.
With a temperature right at the
freezing level, coupled with a brisk wind, the longer grip also made it much easier for cold hands to hold onto the Mini-Revolvers.
He added: "The
freezing level was around 3,000 feet with a light wind.
