Distinguishing between rain and snow in near-freezing temperatures is a challenge, even with advanced methods.
Distinguishing between rain and snow in near-freezing temperatures is a challenge, even with advanced methods. A new study uncovers why.
A new study led by the University of Vermont (UVM) uncovers a critical challenge in accurately classifying precipitation as rain or snow using surface weather data.
Published in Nature Communications, the research evaluates the performance of both traditional precipitation phase partitioning methods and advanced machine learning models, revealing that near-freezing temperatures create an inherent limitation in distinguishing between rain and snow, restricting the accuracy of these approaches.
Accurately identifying precipitation phase is critical for weather forecasting, hydrologic modeling, and climate research, with significant implications for transportation safety, air travel, infrastructure operations, and water resources management.
Read more at: University of Vermont
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