Vaisala IRIS - Figure 24 VVP Reflectivity Profile Example; Table 12 First Guess Monthly Melting Height Values for the Northern

Figure 24 VVP Reflectivity Profile Example
Numerical weather prediction models and balloon soundings are good sources of
temperature profiles.
A bulk method is to take average temperature (daily or even monthly averages) and
calculate the melting level height assuming the moist adiabatic lapse rate 6.5 °C / km. This
lapse rate is a good estimate during the precipitation event.
If nothing else is available, start with the following table.
Table 12 First Guess Monthly Melting Height Values for the Northern Hemisphere
Month Polar climate Mid latitudes Tropics
January -1 1 2.5
February -1 1 2.5
March -1 1.5 3
April 0.2 2 3.5
IRIS Product and Display User Guide M211319EN-H
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