Spatial, Seasonal, and Synoptic Variations in Air Temperature Lapse Rates
Title | Spatial, Seasonal, and Synoptic Variations in Air Temperature Lapse Rates |
Publication Type | Conference Proceedings |
Year of Conference | 2006 |
Authors | Blandford, T. R., Humes K. S., Harshburger B. J., Moore B. C., and Walden V. P. |
Conference Name | 74th Annual Western Snow Conference |
Series Title | Proceedings of the 74th Annual Western Snow Conference |
Date Published | April 2006 |
Publisher | Western Snow Conference |
Conference Location | Las Cruces, NM |
Keywords | Lapse rate, snowmelt modeling, spatial scale, seasonal weather variation |
Abstract | The average atmospheric lapse rate of -0.65 ºC/100m commonly applied in snowmelt/streamflow prediction models and other investigations of environmental processes is a spatially-global and temporally-climatic average (or standard). It should be applied with caution at other scales. The objective of this research is to evaluate daily surface (2 m) air temperature lapse rates at a spatial scale that has not been evaluated thoroughly in other literature. Specifically, seasonal and synoptic weather type variations in lapse rates will be evaluated for a basin less than 10,000 km2. The performance of long-term average versus seasonal lapse rates is evaluated using cross-validation. Application of the lapse rates to forecasted air temperature is discussed. (Abstract only) |
URL | sites/westernsnowconference.org/PDFs/2006Blandford.pdf |