Road Weather Management Program
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Best Practices for Road Weather Management Version 2.0

Title:

Detailed Weather Prediction System for Snow and Ice Control

Abstract:

A computerized weather prediction system for snowstorms and blizzards was designed and tested extensively during the 1991-1992 winter in Colorado, and installed operationally in January 1993. The system uses raw radiosonde and surface observations disseminated by the National Weather Service. From these data a numerical prediction model generates forecasts at 3-minute intervals over a 24-hr period. This database is used to compute the effects of terrain on weather development and generate graphic displays of terrain and weather. A road network database is also available for display. Terrain and predicted weather can be shown in several resolution steps, specified by the user, throughout the state, maintenance district, or county. The user can compare predicted weather with actual data from sensors or human observers.

Source(s):

Transportation Research Board, Transportation Research Record 1387, WELS Research Corporation. For an electronic copy of this resource, please direct your request to WeatherFeedback@dot.gov.

Date: 1992

Author:

Reiter, Teixeira

Keywords:


Snow
Ice/Frost
Decision support
Weather information

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