The December 2014 glaze event in the Czech Republic: predictability and impacts

 

Article in a journal Weather
Research Article: The December 2014 glaze event in the Czech Republic: predictability and impacts

Abstract

Between the 29th November and 2nd December 2014, large areas of the Czech Republic were hit by a severe and prolonged episode of glaze and rime. Both phenomena occurred to an extent that was not originally expected by the weather service and caused major disruption in the transport and energy sectors. Comparison of the radiosonde soundings with forecast vertical profiles revealed that numerical weather prediction models ALADIN and IFS were unable to accurately estimate the air temperature and humidity conditions in the lower troposphere, mainly between the 925 and 950hPa pressure levels. The air temperature was estimated to be 2 to 5°C higher by both models, while humidity was underestimated. Glaze and rime paralysed most of transportation (car, train and public transport) in the Czech Republic and caused significant power outages. For example, the falling trees damaged wires along railway lines and approximately 100,000 passengers were directly affected. In terms of the energy sector, the less known problem of rime forming on wind turbine blades is discussed.

 

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wea.3199/full