The algorithm has many configurable parameters, and it was hoped that a season-long test would provide guidance for future modifications of these parameters. Algorithm The algorithm has been tested in other parts of the country with some success. Table 1 shows the correlation between SAA storm total SWE estimates with observations at several other locations. While some tests with high elevation radars and complex terrain have been performed, the algorithm had not been tested in the Northern Rocky Mountain area. May. Snowfall totals more than 175 inches per year are common over the mountainous terrain, while less than 30 inches typically fall in some of the lower valleys.
Transportation corridors are a major concern during major winter storms.
High mountain passes, on average, receive much more snowfall than nearby valleys, sometimes causing closures of high-volume transportation routes. Configurable Parameters To keep data analysis as simple as possible, the configurable parameters for the SAA were chosen as reasonably as possible, and kept constant throughout the study period. This under-estimation will become larger as distance from the radar increases since the radar beam gets farther above the ground, and more of the storms will not be sampled. Figure 2 shows the correction factor as a function of range. The network consisted of 111 volunteer spotters, all of whom were recruited from the existing weather spotter network.