The Tahtsa Ranges Atmospheric River Experiment (TRARE): experimental design and case studies
Abstract In September and October 2021, the Tahtsa Ranges Atmospheric River Experiment (TRARE) was held in western Canada to collect detailed hydrometeorological data on atmospheric rivers and other mid-latitude storms impacting British Columbia’s upper Nechako Watershed and surrounding regions. A t...
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2025-06-01
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| Series: | Discover Atmosphere |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44292-025-00040-y |
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| author | Kelly M. Hurley Jeremy E. Morris Émile Cardinal Derek E. Gilbert Anna R. Kaveney Bruno S. Sobral Hadleigh D. Thompson Julie M. Thériault Stephen J. Déry |
| author_facet | Kelly M. Hurley Jeremy E. Morris Émile Cardinal Derek E. Gilbert Anna R. Kaveney Bruno S. Sobral Hadleigh D. Thompson Julie M. Thériault Stephen J. Déry |
| author_sort | Kelly M. Hurley |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract In September and October 2021, the Tahtsa Ranges Atmospheric River Experiment (TRARE) was held in western Canada to collect detailed hydrometeorological data on atmospheric rivers and other mid-latitude storms impacting British Columbia’s upper Nechako Watershed and surrounding regions. A total of 11 precipitation events including six atmospheric rivers yielded a cumulative precipitation total of 250 mm at Huckleberry Mine, our primary field site. This paper summarizes the TRARE experimental setup that included six principal field sites including Huckleberry Mine along with nine secondary ones where high-frequency (up to the minute-scale) hydrometeorological data were collected. This included an array of four micro rain radars, four optical disdrometers, four meteorological stations, a hotplate precipitation gauge, a weighing precipitation gauge, and a network of tipping bucket rain gauges plus water measurements including levels, discharge and temperatures for two alpine creeks and water levels for one lake. Additional measurements of vertical atmospheric profiles from radiosondes supplemented by in-situ visual observations at two sites provide a comprehensive database to characterize storm evolution and precipitation distribution in the area. The paper highlights sample data from two case studies including an intense atmospheric river that made landfall near the study area. The TRARE field campaign’s accomplishments, challenges and lessons learned are then discussed. Furthermore, we report on the learning outcomes, outreach activities and communication strategy from TRARE. The paper closes with the next steps for atmospheric river monitoring and research in north-central British Columbia. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-86b13da82b6a4caabc8eec5e26aebdbe |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2948-1554 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Atmosphere |
| spelling | doaj-art-86b13da82b6a4caabc8eec5e26aebdbe2025-08-20T02:05:45ZengSpringerDiscover Atmosphere2948-15542025-06-013112210.1007/s44292-025-00040-yThe Tahtsa Ranges Atmospheric River Experiment (TRARE): experimental design and case studiesKelly M. Hurley0Jeremy E. Morris1Émile Cardinal2Derek E. Gilbert3Anna R. Kaveney4Bruno S. Sobral5Hadleigh D. Thompson6Julie M. Thériault7Stephen J. Déry8Department of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Northern British ColumbiaDepartment of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Northern British ColumbiaDépartement Des Sciences de La Terre Et de L’atmosphère, Université du Québec À MontréalDepartment of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Northern British ColumbiaDepartment of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Northern British ColumbiaDepartment of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Northern British ColumbiaDépartement Des Sciences de La Terre Et de L’atmosphère, Université du Québec À MontréalDépartement Des Sciences de La Terre Et de L’atmosphère, Université du Québec À MontréalDepartment of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Northern British ColumbiaAbstract In September and October 2021, the Tahtsa Ranges Atmospheric River Experiment (TRARE) was held in western Canada to collect detailed hydrometeorological data on atmospheric rivers and other mid-latitude storms impacting British Columbia’s upper Nechako Watershed and surrounding regions. A total of 11 precipitation events including six atmospheric rivers yielded a cumulative precipitation total of 250 mm at Huckleberry Mine, our primary field site. This paper summarizes the TRARE experimental setup that included six principal field sites including Huckleberry Mine along with nine secondary ones where high-frequency (up to the minute-scale) hydrometeorological data were collected. This included an array of four micro rain radars, four optical disdrometers, four meteorological stations, a hotplate precipitation gauge, a weighing precipitation gauge, and a network of tipping bucket rain gauges plus water measurements including levels, discharge and temperatures for two alpine creeks and water levels for one lake. Additional measurements of vertical atmospheric profiles from radiosondes supplemented by in-situ visual observations at two sites provide a comprehensive database to characterize storm evolution and precipitation distribution in the area. The paper highlights sample data from two case studies including an intense atmospheric river that made landfall near the study area. The TRARE field campaign’s accomplishments, challenges and lessons learned are then discussed. Furthermore, we report on the learning outcomes, outreach activities and communication strategy from TRARE. The paper closes with the next steps for atmospheric river monitoring and research in north-central British Columbia.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44292-025-00040-yAtmospheric riverField campaignBritish ColumbiaNechako watershedOrographic precipitationExtreme events |
| spellingShingle | Kelly M. Hurley Jeremy E. Morris Émile Cardinal Derek E. Gilbert Anna R. Kaveney Bruno S. Sobral Hadleigh D. Thompson Julie M. Thériault Stephen J. Déry The Tahtsa Ranges Atmospheric River Experiment (TRARE): experimental design and case studies Discover Atmosphere Atmospheric river Field campaign British Columbia Nechako watershed Orographic precipitation Extreme events |
| title | The Tahtsa Ranges Atmospheric River Experiment (TRARE): experimental design and case studies |
| title_full | The Tahtsa Ranges Atmospheric River Experiment (TRARE): experimental design and case studies |
| title_fullStr | The Tahtsa Ranges Atmospheric River Experiment (TRARE): experimental design and case studies |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Tahtsa Ranges Atmospheric River Experiment (TRARE): experimental design and case studies |
| title_short | The Tahtsa Ranges Atmospheric River Experiment (TRARE): experimental design and case studies |
| title_sort | tahtsa ranges atmospheric river experiment trare experimental design and case studies |
| topic | Atmospheric river Field campaign British Columbia Nechako watershed Orographic precipitation Extreme events |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44292-025-00040-y |
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