The DAPHNE Conceptual Model for Designing a Precipitation Enhancement Project in Thessaly, Greece

Abstract

The Conceptual Model developed through the project DAPHNE is presented. Its development relied upon the 10-year period 2001–2010 surface and upper air meteorological measurements, the use of the state-of-the-art WRF numerical model with sophisticated microphysical parameterizations, the adaptation of the 3D cloud model for performing simulations of cloud seeding experiments, the radar information from the C-band weather radar through the TITAN algorithm, the conduction of instrumented aircraft flights for in-situ measurements and carrying out actual aircraft cloud seeding experiments on suitably chosen appropriate clouds over Thessaly area. It is believed, that it is for the first time, that all these state-of-science tools and aircraft observations are combined, in order to create the necessary fundamental principles for the development of the DAPHNE Conceptual Model that will potentially define the feasibility and applicability of a future rain enhancement program in Thessaly. The developed conceptual model potentially defines—if, when, where and how—a precipitation enhancement program would be applicable over the examined area. It sets the spatial, temporal and meteorological conditions that must be met, so that cloud seeding of appropriate cloud types will be feasible, aiming in precipitation enhancement and mitigation of drought in the area of Thessaly.