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Calcimator

Precipitation Type Forecaster

Forecast precipitation type (rain, snow, sleet, freezing rain) from temperatures at multiple atmospheric levels. Uses the thermal profile warm-nose method.

Inputs

°F
°F
°F
m AGL

Results

Precipitation Type

Freezing Rain / Sleet Mix

Confidence Level

Low

Physical ExplanationBorderline warm/cold layer depths. Mix of freezing rain and sleet expected.
Warm Layer Depth900 m
Cold Surface Layer300 m
Max Warm Layer Temp3 °C
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter Surface Temperature (°C) at the ground level.
  2. Enter 850 mb Temperature and 700 mb Temperature from a sounding or forecast model.
  3. Set Freezing Level Height (m) — the altitude where temperature crosses 0°C.
  4. Review Precipitation Type (rain, snow, freezing rain, sleet) based on the atmospheric profile.
  5. Check Confidence Level and Physical Explanation to understand the reasoning behind the precipitation type forecast.

What each input means

Surface Temperature
Temperature at the surface station in °C. Critical for determining if precipitation freezes on contact.
850 mb Temperature
Temperature at the 850 mb level (~1,500 m). A warm layer here (>0°C) is the 'warm nose' that melts falling snow.
700 mb Temperature
Temperature at the 700 mb level (~3,000 m). Helps define the depth and intensity of the warm layer aloft.
Freezing Level Height
Height of the lowest 0°C isotherm above ground in meters. Defines the depth of the cold surface layer for sleet/freezing rain determination.

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Surface Temperature = -1, 850 mb Temperature = 3, 700 mb Temperature = -5, Freezing Level Height = 300 = 4 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Precipitation Type
    Precipitation Type
    Freezing Rain / Sleet Mix = Freezing Rain / Sleet Mix
  3. Calculate Confidence Level
    Confidence Level
    Low = Low
  4. Calculate Physical Explanation
    Physical Explanation
    Borderline warm/cold layer depths. Mix of freezing rain and sleet expected. = Borderline warm/cold layer depths. Mix of freezing rain and sleet expected.
  5. Calculate Warm Layer Depth
    Warm Layer Depth
    900 = 900

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