Observations of size and fall speed in coexisting rain and snow

A Parsivel distrometer was used to highlight in a new way the unique characteristics of wet snow. Parsivel disdrometer measurements obtained in mixed precipitation (rain and wet snow) and rain in the Oregon Cascades and in dry snow in the Colorado Rockies were compared and the coexisting rain and snow particles were classified based on their size and fall-speed properties. Results show that different particle sizes are not required for aggregation since wet snow particles of the same size can have different fall speeds.