Scientists, including NASA engineers, have compiled a comprehensive list of precipitation, identifying nine distinct types, ranging from drizzle and light snow to intense ice pellets and blizzards, which will help more accurately forecast weather and assess the risks of floods and ice storms.
Meteorologists and climatologists have revealed that the common division of precipitation into rain, snow, and sleet is heavily simplified. A nine-year study by a team of scientists, including NASA specialists, has led to the creation of a complete list of possible precipitation, including nine categories.
The researchers analyzed about 1.5 million measurements of precipitation particles, as well as ground weather station data on temperature, humidity, pressure, and wind. Machine learning models were used to process the enormous volume of information, allowing patterns to be identified and precipitation to be classified.
The list includes:
- Drizzle – Light, steady rain;
- Heavy Rain – Intense rain with small drops;
- Light Rain to Snow Mix – Light sleet with ice pellets;
- Heavy Rain to Snow Mix – Intense sleet with ice pellets;
- Light Mixed Phase – Small amount of wet particles;
- Heavy Mixed Phase – Large amount of wet particles;
- Heavy Snow to Snow Mix – Large snowflakes and ice pellets;
- Light Snowfall – Light, fluffy snow;
- Heavy Snowfall – Intense blizzard.
The scientists note that this detailed classification of precipitation will help to more accurately forecast the weather, adjust travel plans, prepare for extreme events, and assess the impact of snow cover on freshwater availability.
Researchers have previously deciphered the patterns of extreme precipitation, which allows for a better understanding of the link between temperature and precipitation type, as well as the forecasting of flash floods amid the climate crisis.
